
i%iBRARy OF Congress." 1 




& 



THE 

/ 
RUTGERS COLLEGE, 



JUNE 21, 1870. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED 



HON. JOSEPH P. BRADLEY, 

ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, U. S. 



AND OTHER 



M^'aivtuut^ anlr lltouetrinsfii* 




ALBANY, N. Y. : 
JOEL MUNSELL, 

1870. 






34478 






fitnit^tttti^l 0f §Mtg^t*^ ®0Ueg^. 



piielimi:nary proceedii^gs. 



The Board of Trustees, of Rutgers College began, 
at an early day, to take action preparatory to cele- 
brating in some fitting way the one hundredth year of 
the existence of the College. The result of their deli- 
berations was laid by the President, Rev. Wm. H. 
Campbell, D.D., before the meeting of the Alumni 
held in the Chapel in June, 1869; and was subse- 
quently given to other graduates and friends in the 
form of a circular, as follows : 

Rutgers College, Neio Brunswick, JV. J. 
^ c,. March 19th, 1870. 

The Centennial of Rutgers College is to be celebrated at New 
Brunswick, Tuesday, June 21, 1870. By this celebration it is 
designed to gain two ends: 

1. To recount the goodness of God in His care of the College, 
and to return thanks for the same. 

2. To further in some marked way and degree, the interests 
of the College. 

In considering how the second end might be best gained the 
Trustees have unanimously concluded, that if the following 



Through inadvertence the name of Hon. Garnett B. Adrain 
and of his father Professor Adraui, has been printed Adrit 



Irian. 



objects could be accomplished, tbe College would be placed in 
a condition bigbly favorable for its future welfare : 

1. The full endowment of the Collegiate Church Professorship 
of Rhetoric. For this object the sum of $20,000 is required. 

2. The endowment of the Professorship of Mining and Metal- 
lurgy by the gift of $30,000 or more. 

3. The erection of a Chapel to seat about five hundred persons. 

4. The erection of a Geological Hall. 

There are other objects of very great importance which it is 
desired to accomplish, but inasmuch as they have not been 
formally acted on by the Board of Trustees, they are not here 



The Committee believe that the accomplishment of these 
objects is an imperative necessity of the College, and having 
shown, by their personal subscriptions, their own faith in the 
good cause, they hereby make an appeal to the friends of Educa- 
tion, Religion, and our Free Institutions, to aid them in this 
most important work. And they believe that by thus making 
the Centennial celebration a marked day in the history of the 
College, their gratitude to God for His goodness to the Institu- 
tion, will be best shown. 

James Suydam, Robert H. Pruyn, 

Peter S Duryee, James A. Wh-liamson, 

Benjamin C. Taylor, Garret C. Schanck, 
Wm. H. Cabipbell. 

The' Alumni entered unanimously and enthusiasti- 
cally into the spirit of the measures thus proposed ; and 
appointed Edward S. Vail, Esq., and Mr. J. W. Scher- 
merhorn, as their committee to cooperate with Rev. B. 
C. Taylor, Peter S, Duryee, Esq., and President Camp- 
bell, the executive committee on the part of the Trus- 
tees, in the endeavor to carry the same into effect. 



At tlie dinner, which took place as usual upon the 
conclusion of the Commencement 1869, and which 
was largely attended by the Trustees, Alumni, distin- 
guished visitors and friends, the consideration of the 
general subject of the centennial was resumed, 

Hon, Robert H. Pruyn, of Albany, was the very 
efficient presiding officer. Senator Frederick T, Fre- 
linghuysen of Newark, briefly reviewed the history of 
the Institution, alluding to the sacrifices and prayers 
of its founders, and pointing out the demands laid by 
modern civilization upon colleges for a more complete 
curriculum, and a higher degree of intellectual and 
moral training. 

Joseph P, Bradley, Esq,, of ISTewark, dwelt with much 
emphasis upon the fact that money given to the great 
cause of Chiistian education was productive of lai^ger 
and higher, more lasting and satisfactory results than 
when expended in any other direction. In illustration 
of this he showed how the comparatively small sum of 
five thousand dollars, bestowed by Col. Henry Rutgers 
upon this institution, had been far more fruitful than 
all his other wealth, otherwise employed, in accom- 
plishing good for others and winning an imperishable 
fame for himself. 

After various remarks had been made by others, 
Mr, Abram Voorhees, of ISTew Brunswick, arose and 
said : Mr. President, I appreciate the benefits which a 
college showers upon the community in which it is 
located, I have observed the good done by Rutgers 
College to the citizens and families of this city and 



state. My heartiest sympathies are with Dr. Camp- 
bell in his great work. And now acting as a good 
citizen of New Brunswick, and a friend of education, 
I purpose to give a house and lot, valued at ten thou- 
sand dollars, which I own on Livingston Avenue, 
toward starting the centennial endowment. I will 
have the deed of this property made out immediately 
and placed in the hands of the Trustees. 

To this noble speech, the president of the college 
replied, thanking Mr. Yoorhees for his generous gift, 
and expressing his faith that the plan of endowment 
so auspiciously begun would be crowned ultimately 
with complete success. 

. The following circulars, which will explain them- 
selves, were sent to many friends as well as to all the 
former students of the College whose residences could 
be ascertained : 

New Brunsioick, N. J. 
Dear Sir: May 16, 1870. 

At a meeting of the Alumni and Friends of Kutgers College, 
residents of the city of New York and its vicinity, held May 
12th, the undersigned were appointed a committee to communi- 
cate with the Alumni, and to present the following requests in 
respect to the approaching centennial : 

1. That every Alumnus embrace this opportunity of giving 
as large a thank-offering as he can to his Alma Mater. 

2. That he cooperate with his class to have the whole amount 
given by the class as large as possible. 

3. That he solicit subscriptions from the liberal and the 
friends of education and religion in behalf of this object. 

4. Inasmuch as each class is to hold a class meeting at New 
Brunswick on Monday evening, June 20th, the day before the 



centennial celebration, that lie attend tis class meeting on that 
occasion, and report his gifts and collections. 

5. That every Alumnus and friend of Rutgers College attend 
the centennial exercises, on the morning and afternoon of Tues- 
day, June 21st, and the Commencement on Wednesday 22d. 

We are authorized to say that the citizens of New Brunswick 
expect to entertain the Alumni, and friends of the College who 
may attend the exercises. 

W. H. Campbell, 
J. L. See, 

T. S. DOOLITTLE, 

Committee. 

Dear Sir : 

The centennial anniversary of Rutgers College will be cele- 
brated at New Brunswick during Commencement week. Your 
presence and participation are respectfully solicited. The pro- 
gramme of exercises is as follows : 

June 20. Monday evening, the classes graduated in the several 
years will hold meetings for mutual conference. Places for 
holding these meetings will be provided. 

June 21. Tuesday, 10 o'clock in the College chapel, the 
Alumni association will hold its regular annual meeting for 
electing officers and other business. 

Tuesday, 12 o'clock in the First Reformed church, the com- 
memorative services will be as follows : 

1. The Governor of the state will preside. 

2. Invocation by Rev. Grabriel Ludlow, D.D. 

3. Singing Psalm, 90 pt. 2d. 

4. Prayer by Rev. Thomas DeWitt, D.D. 

5. Historical Discourse by Hon. Joseph P. Bradley, LL.D., 
class of 1836. 

6. Prayer by Rev. B. C. Taylor, D.D. 

7. Doxology. 

8. Benediction by Rev. Gustavus Abeel, D.D. 



Tuesday, 2 o'clock in the First Reformed church, a general 
Alumni meeting will be held, Hon. Eobert H. Pruyn, LL.D., 
of the class of 1833, president of the Alumni association, pre- 
siding ; at which the exercises shall be : 

1. A report by President Campbell in regard to the progress 
of the endowment. 

2. Responses from the classes in the order of their graduation. 

3. Responses from invited friends. 

4. Music under the direction of R. W. Weston, Esq. 

Entertainment. It is the purpose of the citizens of New 
Brunswick to provide entertainment for all the graduates and 
friends of the College who may be present on this occasion. 

You are therefore specially requested to notify the secretary 
of the local committee, as soon as convenient, of your intention 
to be present, so that a place may be provided for you. 

In order that time may be saved for the. Alumni meeting on 
Tuesday afternoon, it is requested that the dinners in the homes 
where guests are entertained, be postponed till 5.30 p.m. A 
lunch will be provided in a place near the church which will be 
open to all graduates and guests from the close of Judge Brad- 
ley's oration during the afternoon. 

On arriving you are requested to report yourself for registra- 
tion at the president's room in the College building. . 
B. C. Taylor, Edward S. Vail, 

Peter S. Duryee, J. W. Schermerhorn, 
Wm. H. Campbell, On jjart of Alumni 

On part of Trustees. 

Ex. Com. of Arrangements. 

EuTGEKS College, New Brunswick, 
May 23d, 1870. 

Local Committee. 

Hon. Garnet B. Adrian, Chairman; William Reiley, Jr., *S'e- 
cretary ; William Van Deursen, M.D., Hon. James Bishop, Hon. 
Amos Robins, Hon. L. D. Jarrard, Geo. J. Janeway, M.D., 



Jolia Clark, John B. Hill, Jacob S. Cai-pender, Wm. H. Leupp, 
John 0. Blmendorf, Rush Van Dyke, M.D., Isaac Voorhees, 
Henry R. Baldwin, M.D., Geo. C. Ludlow, Augustus T. Stout, 
Lewis Applegate, John Wells, Theodore Neilson, Henry K. 
How, Woodbridge Strong, Charles T. Cowenhoven, Andrew K. 
Cogswell, James Neilson, T. R. Warren, Nich. Williamson, J. 
J. Janeway, Ab'm Voorhees, Wm. Rust, Lucius P. Porter, 
Wm. R. Janeway, Admiral C. H. Bell, John Terhune, Martin 
A. Howell, Henry Weston, McRae Swift, Chris. Meyer, Jere- 
miah Van Rensselaer, Abram V. Schenck, Capt. S. Van Wickle, 
S. B. Driggs, Chas. M. Herbert, Chas. P. Dayton, A. D. Newell, 
Lyle Van Nuis, Warren Hardenberg, P. Vanderbilt Spader, 
Robert H. Neilson, J. Elmer Stout, Chas. P. Strong, Wm. H. 
Acken, John F. Babcock, A. G. Ogilby, R. W. Weston, J. K. 
Hoyt, Robert M. Boggs. 

Sub-Committees. 

1. On Enter tamment. Chairman — Abram Voorhees ; Hon. 
James Bishop, Rush Van Dyke, M.D., Isaac Voorhees, Augus- 
tus T. Stout, Lewis Appelgate, Nicholas Williamson, Col. J. J. 
Janeway, S. B. Driggs, A. G. Ogilby, Robert M. Boggs. 

2. On Refreshments. Chairman — Henry K. How ; Henry 
M. Baldwin, M.D., Chas. T. Cowenhoven, Esq., Capt. S. Van 
Wickle, William H. Acken. 

3. On Press. Chairman — Major Chas. M. Herbert; editor, 
John F. Babcock, editor, J. K. Hoyt. 

4. On Music. Chairman — R. W. Weston, A. K. Coggs- 
well. Esq , James Neilson. 



In reply to these circulars, letters of regret, in con- 
sequence of not being able to attend, were received 
from Schuyler Colfax, Yice President, U. S. ; Theo- 
dore "Woolsey, President of Yale College ; Professors 
Trail Green of Easton, and J. S. Schanck of Princeton ; 
2 



10 

Hon. Jolin A. Lott, of Flatbusli, L. I. ; Hon. Horace 
Capron, Commissioner of Department of Agricul- 
ture at "Washington, D. C. ; "William H. Crosby, of 
Poughkeepsie, and Rev. William Irvin of Troy, 
formerly professors in Rutgers College ; and many 
others. 

Rev. Dr. Isaac Ferris, Chancellor of ISTew York 
University, wrote thus : "I rejoice with you my 
Rutgers friends in the near approach of your one 
hundredth Anniversary, and in the signally prosperous 
state of the College. I find that it will be out of my 
power to be present and participate in the solemniza- 
tion, ***=!= This is to me a severe denial, for 
I love you all." 

Rev. Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, President of Columbia 
College, IS'ew York city, wi'ote ; * * * " Will you 
have the goodness to present to the Trustees, the 
Faculty, and the Alumni, my hearty congratulations 
upon the encouraging circumstances under which your 
institution completes the first century of its usefulness, 
and my sincere hope that the future may bring to it 
increasing prosperity." 

Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby of Isew York city, wrote : 
"I have regarded with deepest interest the remarka- 
ble progress of the College under your (Dr. Campbell's) 
wise and vigorous presidency, and I pray God, you 
may be long spared to continue the important work. 
To use a Dutch simile, every Christian college is a dyke 
to preserve our land from the sea of falsehood in 
morals and politics ; and you have been a faithful 



11 

workman in strengthening one valuable dyke that was 
ready to give way." 

Hon. A. Oakey Hall, Mayor of the City of Few 
York hoped : " That the Centennial would be a suc- 
cess and that no last pupil's straw would break the 
Campbell's back." 



CE]^TE:fmiAI. EXERCISES. 



On Tuesday, June 21, 1870, at 12 o'clock, a vast 
audience gathered in and about tlie venerable and 
spacious First Reformed cburcb. The walls were 
adorned with portraits,^ borrowed from the Chapel, of 
many eminent men who had been connected, in past 
days, Avith the College in various relations. 

Of the former presidents there were the following 
pictures : Rev. Drs. John H. Livingston, Philip Mille- 
doler, Hon, Abraham Bruyn Hasbrouck, and Hon. 
Theodore Frelinghuysen. Ofthe Vice Presidents: Rev. 
Drs. Ira Condict, Jacob J. Janeway. Of Professors : 
Rev. Dr. John DeWitt, Robert Adrian, LL.D., Rev. 
Dr. James S. Cannon, Theodore Strong, LL.D., Rev. 
Dr. Alexander McClelland, Lewis C. Beck, M.D., 
Rev. Dr. John D. Ogilby, Rev. Dr. John Proudfit, Rev. 
Dr. Samuel Van Vranken, and Rev. Dr. John Ludlow. 
Of Trustees : Cornelius L. Hardenbergh, LL.D., Abram 
Yan N'est, Esq., Rev. Dr. Samuel B. How, Col. Henry 
Rutgers, and also of the distinguished missionary, 
David Abeel, and of Simeon DeWitt, who was for 
many years surveyor-general for the State of ISTew 



'For this collection of fine xjortraits the college is mainly indebted 
to Edward S. Vail, Esq., of New Brunswick, who has been, for seve- 
ral years, the indefatigable and successful chairman of the committee 
appointed by the Alumni for this purpose. 



13 

York, after being what we should now call topograph- 
ical engineer for the United States. He was a gradu- 
ate of the College, the only one of 1776. 

His Excellency, Theodore F. Randolph, governor of 
the State of New Jersey, presided. He was supported 
on the right hy Hon. A. Bruyn Hashrouck, formerly 
President of Rutgers College ; on the left by Rev. Dr. 
James McCosh, president of the college of ISTew Jer- 
sey at Princeton. Among the distinguished persons 
on the stage, and elsewhere present were Ex-Govei^nors 
ITewell, Ward and Price ; Generals Simpson, Runyon, 
Perrine, Appleby, Plume, and DeHart ; Admiral Bell ; 
Adjutant-Generals Stockton, and Stryker; Inspector- 
General Fay; Chancellor Halstead, 0. S. Halstead; 
Professors McGill, D.D., of Princeton, and Geo. W. 
Coakley, LL.D., of ISTew York University; Rev. Dr. 
Forsyth; Judge R. L. Larremore, late president of 
Board of Education, E'ew York city; Hon. W. D. 
McDonald, Comptroller; Hon. H. C. Kelsey, Secretary 
of State ; Hon. W. R. McMichael, State Treasurer ; S. 
C. Brown, Private Secretary of the Governor; Cols. 
Murphy, Hamilton, eldest son of Col. Alex. Hamil- 
ton, and Du Mont ; Hon. Amos Robins, Dr. Varick, 
E. A, Apgar, Superintendent of public schools in New 
Jersey. 

Gov. Randolph upon taldng the chair, said : " Ladies 
and Gentlemen; Friends of Rutgers: That duty is 
best performed, most persons will agree, which being 
accomplished does not require us to linger over it in 
contemplation. 



14 

So remorselessly do events press upon eacli other in 
these days, that no matter how this one or that other 
may be individualized to our minds, or made sacred to 
our memories, Time refuses to give more than one of 
its moments, to the commemoration of even such rarely 
occurring events as that which to-day we celebrate. 

However gratifying it would be to link one's memo- 
ries and words with the record of this day, whatever 
temptations the occasion of " once in a hundred years " 
offers to one whose greatest pride has ever been that 
he was born upon ITew Jersey soil, and within the 
sound of yonder College bell, justice to you forbids 
trespass upon your time. And the duty most agree- 
able and honorable, which falls to me now, is to call to 
order at once this imposing concourse of people. The 
institution, of which you are the friends and supporters, 
links to-day, in your persons and memories, the old 
with the new; and turns its centennial year loved and 
respected, as it ever has been, by men, and peculiarly 
protected and blessed by the favor of Almighty Grod. 

The invocation was then made by Eev. Dr. Gabriel 
Ludlow, of ITeshannock; the 90th Psalm was sung; 
and a prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Thomas DeWitt, 
the venerable senior pastor of the Collegiate church 
in 'New York. Hon. Joseph P. Bradley, associate 
justice of the United States Supreme Court, then 
came forward and delivered the Historical Oration. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



law. MmtiU i. ^vmXU^, 



ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OP THE STJPKEME COTJKT, TJ. 



New Brunswick, June 24, 18T0. 
Hon. Joseph P. Bkadiet, 

Dear Sir ; It is the earnest wish of the Trustees and Alnmni of Rutgers College 
that your Historical Discourse, delivered at the Centennial, should he printed and 
thus made more widely and permanently useful. 

The undersigned have been appointed to request of you the copy, and to have it 
puhlished. It will give them great pleasure to receive from yon the discourse ; and 
to have it printed in a manner befitting its excellence. 
With great respect, 

Your obedient servants, 

Robert H. Pkutn, 
Joachim Elmendorp, 
Wm. H. Campbell, 

Committee of Trustees. 
James W. Schermerhokn, 
Alexander Brown, 
Rush Van DTBa;, 
Ernest J. Miller, 
Robert C. Prutn, 

KiCHAKD L. LaRKEMORE, 

Committee of Alumni. 



Newark, July 27, 1870. 
Gentlemen : 

In accordance with the request of the Trustees and Alumni of Rutgers College, 
communicated by you, that the Historical Discourse delivered by me at the Cen- 
tennial Commencement, should be published, I send you a copy for that*purpose. 
I am sorry it is not more worthy of preservation. Circumstances prevented me 
from commencing its preparation until a very few days before its delivery. The 
great haste with which it was necessarily prepared will undoubtedly render it ob- 
noxious to just criticism. I have added some notes and additional matter which 
may aid in securing for it a more general interest. 

Yours very truly, 

Joseph P. Bradley. 

Messrs. B. B. Pruyn, J. Elmendorf W. H. CamjMll, 
J. W. Schermerhorn, and others. 



HISTORIC AI. DISCOURSE. 



Friends, Patrons and Alumni of Rutgers College : 

A generation of men lias passed away since the 
Class of 1836, of wMcli I was a liiimble member, 
received its parting benediction from our Alma Mater. 
Youtb has cbanged to manhood, and manhood to 
middle age ; family groups have sprung up around us ; 
the business and cares of life have absorbed our minds; 
various fortune has attended our steps; but we have 
not ceased to turn with interest, pleasure and attach- 
ment to these places consecrated by so many happy 
recollections of the past. This interest and these 
attachments have, in many instances, been perpetuated 
by reproduction in the persons of our own sons, or of 
others in whom we have taken a friendly interest. 
And what is true of the Class of 1836 is ti'ue of all 
the other classes which have graduated at these halls, 
until the number is to be counted by many hundreds — 
nay, thousands — of those and the descendants and 
families of those who regard Rutgers College with a 
friendly and filial attachment; whilst, reciprocally, 
from the institution as a centre, to every one of its 
graduates and friends, run out lines of influence in 
thought, in opinion, in action, which affect their con- 
duct in life, and, through them, society around them. 



18 

And thus tlie Colleg-e goes on, year after year and 
generation after generation, notwithstanding the death 
of individuals; its strength ever increasing, and its 
influence ever becoming more far-reaching and com- 
prehensive. 

All institutions endowed with corporate life and 
vested with perpetual succession are instruments of 
power in human affairs. When their objects are 
elevated, tend to good and minister to the benefit of 
society, they are a blessing to mankind; but when 
they are sinister, and tend to support the cause of 
error, superstition or immorality, they are as great a 
curse. It is difficult to assign their origin. Organized 
association, perpetual continuity, and independence of 
individual constituents for the time being, are the 
essential characteristics of all corporations aggregate. 
It is said that corporations have no souls, but it is a 
mistake. They are all soul. Their being consists of 
the centralizing principle which they are founded to 
represent and perpetuate — be it learning, be it reli- 
gion, be it art, be it gain — or whatsoever it be. Their 
breath of life consists of the ideas they are intended 
to preserve and disseminate, or the objects they are 
intended to accomplish. And how grand and potent, 
oftentimes, is their existence. They come down to us 
from the former ages, hoary Avith time, invested with 
historical associations, and wielding a power and influ- 
ence combined of all the separate streams of influence 
which have emanated from their members of every 
genei-ation. Such is Oxford ; such Cambridge. Such 



19 

are the Universities and Colleges whose fame fills tlie 
civilized world. Sucli are also those institutions which 
have for their ohj ect the propagation of particular creeds 
and systems — as the Propaganda, the Bible Society — 
such, those that have only for object the pursuit of 
wealth or trade, as the Bank of England, the East 
India Company, What man cannot do alone, he can 
do by association. "What he cannot do as a mob of 
individuals, he can do when organized into a society. 
What he cannot do by temporary organization, he can 
often effect by being incorporated into a perpetual 
community. 

We are each of us only a drop in the ocean. But 
the College of which we have composed, and still form, 
a part, is an ever-living organization, destined to live 
on after we and our children and children's children 
have returned to dust; still bestowiiig and sending 
forth its vivifying and purifying influences, blessing 
the world and aiding to make its civilization eternal. 

Such organizations concentrate the good forces of 
society into eflGLcient activity. Whatever of good 
society contains is thus enabled to perpetuate and mul- 
tiply itself. They may well be supported by the dona- 
tions — if donation is the proper word — of those who 
have the good of society at heart. The efforts of 
individuals towards effecting the. same ends which 
these institutions effect, are like the blind and inefiee- 
tual efforts of Briareus, gigantic indeed in size, and 
able to spread abroad a hundred brawny hands, but 
blind and without skill to use theni. 



20 

An instance of the wonderful powei' of organized 
association is that of the Christian Church, which is 
thus enabled to live through ages of persecution, irre- 
spective and independent of the fate of its individual 
members. Perhaps, the church gave to the world the 
earliest hint of this instrument of social power. 

Civil society itself, when properly understood, and as 
it is understood in modern times, is but a corporate body, 
it is true ; but of so multiform and complex a charac- 
ter, and so dependent on fortuitous and often violent 
circumstances for its form, that it could hardly have 
furnished the hint which gave rise to the institution of 
corporate bodies for promoting special social objects. 

But, whatever their origin or cause, it cannot be 
denied that, as the steam engine in the world of 
material industry supplies the lack of many thousand 
men, and gives man a greatly enlarged power over the 
forces of nature, so the corporate institution, whether 
for learning, religion, benevolence, or gain, produces 
a combined and perpetual energy and power which no 
other form of human agency can achieve. 

The character, purpose and tendency of every such 
institution become, therefore, a matter of deep interest 
to the community. 

It will be my object in this address to exhibit, by its 
history and a reference to some of its results, the 
character, purpose and tendency of Rutgers College. 

The actual annals of the College have been so fully 
and so well treated by sevei^al competent hands that 



21 



nofhing is desired under tliis head. It leaves nothing 
for me but to take a cursory review of its origin and 
a brief notice of some of its patrons and alumni, and 
of the vicissitudes wbicli it has experienced. 

It is familiar to you all that the origin al name of the 
institution was Queen's College. The Presbyterians 
of this region had obtained a charter in 1746 for a 
college called the College of IsTew Jersey (now located 
at Princeton), and the Episcopalians, in 1754, had re- 
ceived a chai-ter of King's College in IsTew York (since 
changed to Columbia), so that, when the people of the 
Eeformed Dutch Connection, in 1770, applied for a 
charter, the College received the loyal designation of 
Queen's College. This charter is dated March 20, 
1770. It was procured by that branch of the Reformed 
Dutch churches in this province and ISTew York, which 
was called the Coetus. The Dutch churches had for 
more than thirty years been divided into two parties, 
called the Coetus and the Conferentie. And the 
division arose in this wise: When the Hollanders 
settled E"ew York and IsTcav Jersey, in the 17th century, 
they brought their religion with them, of course ; and 
received all their pastors or ministers from the mother 
country, and specially from the ecclesiastical jurisdic- 
tion known as the Classis of Amsterdam. Just as 'New 
York and Ifew Jersey received all their Episcopal 
ministei-s from the Diocese of London. The Dutch 
churches of America were under the care of the Classis 
of Amsterdam, which supplied them with duly or- 
dained ministers as they were needed. .Theological 



learniug had for a long time been sedulously cultivated 
in Holland, and probably no more learned preachers 
were sent forth from the old Protestant world than 
those sent from Holland. Many people on this side, 
of conservative turn, thought a man could not preach 
the gospel properly unless he came with the imprimatur 
of the Classis of Amsterdam. If any young men of 
ability rose up in the Amei'ican church, they were 
necessarily excluded from the clerical profession, unless 
they could afford the expense of going over to Holland 
and studying divinity in one of its learned universities. 
In process of time this began to be felt as a great 
burden, and many of the people desired to have an 
ecclesiastical organization on this side the Atlantic, 
which should have the power to ordain young minis- 
ters. And at length this desire became so vehement 
and pressing that it formed itself into act, and thus 
arose the party of the Coetus, which was the party of 
progress and insisted on the right to ordain ministers 
in this country. But they constantlj^ met with the 
serious obstacle arising from the want of a literary 
institution in which their candidates could acquire 
that proficiency in the learning of the day, which the 
Low Dutch always looked upon as necessary in their 
domines. For one of the fruits of the Reformation in 
Holland had been a sincere reverence for learning and 
learned men, and a national conviction of the necessity 
of learning to qualify ministers for their sacred calling. 
The result was that Holland became the seat of two of 
the most renowned universities in the Protestant world 



23 

and of modem times, Utrecht and Leyden. Her pre- 
eminence in this respect may have since declined ; but 
in the seventeenth century, Grotius and Selden may 
well be put forward as the representatives no less than 
the champions of the learning of the two countries to 
which they belonged, l^o wonder, therefore, that the 
party of the Ccetus, with such traditions, felt it neces- 
sary to their position to provide for the establishment 
of a school of learning in this country, so that their 
candidates for the ministry might not be deficient in 
the very essentials of Dutch ecclesiasticism, which 
meant Hebrew and Greek, not Habits and Gowns ! 

The Charter was granted by Gov. William Franklin. 
Following the petition for its issue, it recites the fact 
that the adherents of the Dutch Church, attached to 
the discipline of the Synod of Dort, were very numer- 
ous in New Jersey and the neighboring provinces ; 
that the ministers and elders had taken into serious 
consideration the manner in which the churches might 
be supplied with an able, learned and well qualified 
ministry ; that they deemed it necessary for this pur- 
pose that a College should be erected in I^ew Jersey, 
in which the learned languages and other branches of 
useful knowledge might be taught, and degrees con- 
ferred; and, especially that young men of suitable 
abilities might be instructed in divinity, preparing 
them for the ministry, and supplying the necessity of 
the churches ; that the inconveniences were manifold 
and the expenses heavy, in either being supplied with 
ministers of the gospel from foreign parts, or sending 



24 



young men abroad for education, and that tlie pre- 
servation of a fund for the necessary uses of instruction 
very much, depended upon a charter. In view of these 
very sound considerations, presented by the petition, 
and also, as further stated, to promote learning for the 
benefit of the community, and advancement of the 
Pi'otestant religion of all denominations, the Charter 
proceeded in the usual formal terms, to establish a 
college, to be called Queen's College; and to be erected 
in the Province of ISTew Jersey, for the education of 
youth in the learned languages, hberal and useful arts 
and sciences, and especially in divinity ; and proceeded 
to incorporate a board of trustees thereof, with per- 
petual succession forever, to be called, "the trustees 
of Queen's College in ITew Jersey ; " and gave said 
trustees power to appoint a President of the College 
" being a member of the Dutch Reformed Church ; " 
also a Professor in Divinity, and such other professors . 
and tutors as they should think necessary; one of 
whom to be well versed in English; and power to 
confer degrees, elect new members of the board, &c. 
The charter named the persons to be first trustees, 
about forty in number. This list, if we except the 
ofiicial members, consisting of the Governor, Presi- 
dent of Council, Chief Justice and Attorney Genei-al 
of the province, and, except also Sir "William Johnson, 
of ISTew York, whose name was probably inserted by 
way of compliment, was composed mostly of ministers 
and prominent laymen of the Coetus party in New 
Jersey and ISTew York, or distinguished members of 



25 



the Dutcli connection, who had not taken sides in the 
controversy. 

Of ministers in 'New Jersey are named Johannes 
Henricus Goetschius, of Hackensack ; Johannes Leydt, 
of Kew Brunswick; David Marinus, of Acqnackanonk; 
Martinus Van Harlingen, of Millstone; Jacob R. Har- 
denbergh, of Raritan; and WiUiam Jackson, Ber- 
gen; in New York, Yerbiyk, Vrooman, Maurice 
Goetschius, Westerlo and Schuneman; and Wyberg 
and Dubois, of Pennsylvania. Of laymen we have, 
first and foremost, Hendrick Fisher, and then Peter 
Zabriskie, P. Hasenclever, Peter Schenck, Tunis Dey, 
Philip French, John Covenhoven and Henricus Kuy- 
pers. These were of New Jersey. From New York 
we have Simon Johnson, Philip Livingston, Johannes 
Hardenbergh, Abraham Hasbrouck, Theodoras Van 
"Wyck, Abraham Lott, Robert Livingston, and several 
others ; all leading men of their day. 

Some of these persons are deserving of honorable 
mention, as well from their intrinsic worth and public 
usefulness as for the part they tpok in laying the 
foundation of this institution. 

The individual most active in obtaining the Charter 
was the Rev. Dr. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, who 
afterwards became the first President of the College. 
He resided in 1770 in Somerville, Kew Jersey, and 
was minister of the Dutch congregations of Raritan, 
North Branch and Bedminster. He was a native of 
Ulster county, New York (which has always been one 
of the strongest holds of attachment and support to 
4 



26 

tlie College), and was born in Eosendale in 1738, Ms 
father being- tbe proprietor of the Hardenbergh patent. 
He had pursued classical studies in the Academy of 
Kingston, and had then come to 'New Jersey to study 
theology under the Rev. John Frelinghuysen, grand- 
father of the late President Frelinghuysen. He was 
licensed to preach by the Coetus in 1757, in his twen- 
tieth year, and succeeded his instructor as minister at 
Somerville in 1758, whose widow he also married.- 
This lady, long known as Juffrouw Hardenbergh, was 
a woman of remarkable talent, spirit and piety. She 
was the daughter of a wealthy merchant of Amster- 
dam, and had married her first husband, John Freling- 
huysen, for two reasons ; first, because she had fallen 
in love with him, and secondly, because she considered 
it to be her duty to assist him as a Christian helpmate 
in his ministerial duties in the "Western land. So, 
Avith the determination often characteristic of her sex, 
with him she came. She was indeed a helpmeet cal- 
culated to inspire any man to good and noble deeds. 
She was the mother of Gen. Frederick Frelinghuysen, 
of Revolutionary memor}^, the first tutor and one of 
the early trustees and supporters of the College ; and 
the grandmother of Theodore Frelinghuysen, its sub- 
sequent President. ISTo doubt, her keen intellect, 
strong will and deep and fervent piety had much to 
do in formii:ig the character, directing the aims and 
rousing the ambition of her second husband, young 
Hardenbergh ; and, in truth, she may be regarded as 
standing in close and intimate connection with the 



27 

foundation of this institution. But Dr. H., was natur- 
ally a man of strong mind, and, loj diligent application, 
became a learned and able divine. Being a strong 
adherent of the Coetus party, and having himself 
experienced the want of that thorough preliminary 
training which a university or college alone can give, 
he took a leading part in the application for the Char- 
ter of Queen's College, and may be preeminently 
regarded as its founder. This is virtually assumed in 
the letter from the Trustees, inviting him to the Presi- 
dency in 1785. A copy of which with his answer 
thereto is preserved in the archives of the College. 
He left Raritan and removed to Rosendale, his native 
place, in 1781, and served in the ministry over a neigh- 
boring charge. In 1785 he received a double call, 
from the church at E"ew Brunswick as pastor, and 
from the Trustees of the College as President, and 
removed hither in April, 1786. Here he remained 
until his death, October 30tli, 1790. The accumulated 
labors required of him as pastor of the church, which 
then included a large surrounding country, and as 
President and principal professor of the College, broke 
down his slender frame at the premature age of fifty- 
two years. But he had performed a good life work. 
"What is life but its work. By that it is measured. 
By that it is judged. 

Domine Joannes Leydt, minister of the Dutch church 
at ISTew Brunswick and its vicinity, from 1748 to 1783, 
was another of the ardent and efficient founders and 
supporters of the College. It is said that he, in 



28 

company with. Dr. Hardenbergli, by personal applica- 
tions from door to door, procured tlie original funds, 
sucli as they were, for its endowment. 

But perhaps the most noted man next to Dr. Harden- 
bergh, and in some respects more prominent than be, 
wbo aided to lay tbe foundations of this institution, 
was Hendrick Fisher, whose residence was near Bound 
Broot, about five miles from this city. He was a 
noted man in the province for many years. Indeed, 
in all civil matters, he was the leading man of the 
middle counties. He was born in 1697, became a 
member of the Dutch church in !N"ew Brunswick under 
the elder Frelinghuysen's ministry in 1721 ; was a man 
of great intelligence and energy, always on the patriotic 
side in every controversy, and of an irreproachable 
character. His name appears constantly in the legisla- 
tive annals of the Province for many years prior to the 
Revolution ; and during that struggle for National 
independence he was one of the most firm and reliable 
supporters of the cause. He was a delegate to and 
President of the first Provincial Congress of 'New 
Jersey, in 1776, was Chairman of the Committee of 
Safety, and was invariably relied upon by Governor 
Livingston and his associates for his Avise counsel and 
energetic assistance. He was the most eminent man 
of and from the people of l!^ew Jersey, properly so 
called, for half a century, and his name ought to be 
handed down to posterity in company with those of 
Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman, of 
Connecticut, and John Dickinson, of Delaware. 



29 

Of course lie belonged to tlie party of tlie Ccetus, and 
was one of its most zealous and influential adherents. 
But lie was also one of the first to welcome Dr. Liv- 
ingston's proposition for the union of the churches which 
took place in the formation of the General Synod in 1771. 

The part taken by him in the foundation of the 
College, like all the other acts of his life, was of no 
doubtful or hesitating character. He lived to the age 
of eighty-two, and died on the 16th of August, 1779. 

There are other names in that catalogue to which 
greater justice ought to be done. But in this cursory 
review of the past, we can but note the most pro- 
minent persons and features. 

One remarkable fact it is proper to mention, which 
is true with regard to all the individuals before re- 
ferred to, and, so far as known, to the entire board 
mentioned in the charter, and in great measure the 
eintire membership of the Dutch churches. They were 
all in favor of the popular cause during the Revolu- 
tionary struggle. Dr. Hardenbergh was eminently 
distinguished on that side, and from the vigorous and 
decided position which he took, he was the object of 
much annoyance from his Tory neighbors and the 
adherents of the Royal party. 

Perhaps one reason why the Dutch churches and 
their ministers generally were distinguished for taking 
the patriotic side of the struggle was that they were 
impatient of the dictation of English rule and the 
encouragement which by means of government patron- 
age was given to the English churches. 



30 

We believe the same tiling was generally true also 
of the Presbyterian cburcbes and their clergy. They 
were almost invariably on the side of independence : 
whilst it is well known that the Episcopal clergy in 
IsTew York and IsTew Jersey, were inclined to support 
the Royal prerogative. 

These facts should be remembered amongst those 
circumstances which tended to form the character, in- 
fluence and teaching of this institution in its entire 
history. 

The Charter having been obtained the trustees pro- 
ceeded to organize under it and to take measures for 
setting the institution in motion. The first point to 
determine was, where it should be located. The amount 
of the subscriptions made in favor of the College by 
different localities was entitled to consideration in 
deciding the question; and it finally settled down 
between New Brunswick and Hackensack. By the 
untiring activity of Dr. Hardeubergh and Mr. Fisher, 
!N"ew Brunswick had largely the ascendancy in this 
particular. A meeting was finally held at Hackensack 
on the 7th of May, 1771, for the purpose of settling the 
question. The Chief Justice of the colony, Hon. 
Frederick Smyth, was present, and was by the charter 
an ex ofiicio member of the board. He presided on 
this occasion, and was strenuous in his efiJbrts to pro- 
cure the location of the College at Hackensack ; and 
observed in the course of the argument that as those 
in favor of Hackensack were gentlemen of probity and 
honor, it might be taken for granted that if it was 



31 



carried in favor of Hackensaek, they would make tteir 
subscriptions to a par with the subscription of ZSTew 
Brunswick ; but he and his friends were outvoted, and 
the question was decided in favor of New Brunswick by 
a vote of ten to seven. Why the Chief Justice, who 
resided at Amboy, should have taken such an interest 
in Hackensaek, I have been unable to discover. 

Those voting in the affirmative wereDomines Leydt, 
Dubois, Hardenbergh, and Yan Harhugen, and Messrs. 
John Hardenbergh, Hendrick Xuypers, Philip French, 
Peter Schenck, Henry Pisher and Abraham Van Fest ; 
of the laymen thus voting, Kuypers, Schenck, Fisher,, 
and Yan IsTest were members of the first Provincial 
Congress, or Convention, of N^ew Jersey, in 1775, which 
inaugurated resistance to the oppressions of Great 
Britain. Kuypers resided in Harsimus, Schenck in 
Millstone, Fisher near ISTew Brunswick, and Yan JSTest 
in Raritan.^ 

After the College had become legally organized, 
and its location fixed, but how soon afterwards we 



^Philip French, another voter on that occasion, was, I presume 
a brother-in-law of Governor Livingston. He resided in New Bruns- 
wick, where Gov. Livingston's father-in-law, (whose name was also 
Philip French) owned a large tract of land in the middle and early 
part of last century. Philip Livingston, an elder brother of the go- 
vernor, and afterwards a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
was one of the original trustees. He resided in New York, married 
Catherine Ten Broek, a Dutch lady, and was probably an attendant 
of the Dutch church. The governor himself, who resided in New 
York till 1772, and then removed to Elizabeth toMTi, New Jersey, was 
always connected with the Presbyterian chm-ch. 

For a more detailed sketch of the circumstances which led to the 
foundation of Queen's College, see note at the end. 



32 



have no means of positively knowing (tliougli it must 
have been prior to 1775, and probably as early as 1772), 
measures were taken by the trustees to pro-^nde com- 
petent teachers and commence a course of academic 
and collegiate instruction/ The Academy has always 
stood alongside of the College from its foundation. A 
committee of the board were constituted the faculty, 
being appointed for the purpose of quarterly examina- 
tions of the students, and of recommending proper 
candidates for the degrees of Bachelor and JSIaster of 
Arts. The actual instruction and management of the 
institution were for many years performed by tutors 
of the College, and teachers of the grammar school, 
the latter sometimes acting as assistant tutors in teach- 
ing the collegiate classes. The first tutor of the Col- 
lege, as we learn from an advertisement published 
some years afterwards, was Frederick FRELiifaHUYSEjsr, 
a son of Juifrouw Hardenbergh, and of course, a step- 
son of Rev. Dr. Hardenbergh.^ He was born in 1753, 
was graduated at Princeton in 1770, and was now 



'The first book of minutes of the trustees of Queen's College, 
extending from 1770 to 1782 has been lost. This accounts for the 
meagre state of our knowledge with regard to the early historj^ of 
the College. 

" See Kollock's Neic York Gazetteer for October, 1784. The adver- 
tisement is dated at New Brimswick and signed bj' James Schureman, 
as clerk of the board, and gives notice that the vacation of the College 
and grammar school will end November 8th ; that Mr. Andrew Ku-k- 
patrick, who formerly taught the grammar school with great reputa- 
tion has again undertaken its charge; and that Mr. Frelinghuysen, 
formei-ly the first tutor in the College, had engaged to take the super- 
intendence of the education of the classes in College, &c. 



33 



(1772) only nineteen years of age. But, tliougli young, 
lie is said to have been a thorough scholar in all the 
learning of the day, having been intended for the 
ministry, and, amongst other things, instructed in the 
Hebrew language by his step-father, Dr. Hardenbergh. 
He afterwards left theology and betook himself to the 
law; and was, for many years, one of the leading 
lawyers of the state. During the Revolutionary war 
he was prominent in ISTew Jersey both in civil and 
military affairs. He was a member of the first Provin- 
cial congress in May and June, 1775 ; and was elected 
a delegate to the Continental congress in 1778, and 
1782. In 1793 he was elected Senator of the United 
States, being the youngest member of that body; and 
resigned his seat, from domestic afflictions, in 1796. 
During the war he was attached to the ISTew Jersey 
Militia, being captain of an Artillery company at the 
the battle of Trenton, and afterwards colonel of a 
regiment; and constantly entrusted with the most 
delicate and important commissions in reference to the 
patriotic cause in Somerset and adjoining counties. 
These arduous duties rendered it necessary for him to 
resign his place in congress in 1779 ; it being regarded 
of the utmost importance, that the substantial people 
of E"ew Jersey in the middle counties should be kept 
true to the popular cause. On the permanent organiza- 
tion of the state militia in 1793, he was appointed one 
of the four major generals ; and having, with a volun- 
teer force of cavalry, and the special acceptance of 
President "Washington, joined the army collected to 
5 



34 

suppress tlie wMskey insurrection in Western Penn- 
sylvania in 1794, he was entrusted with an important 
command in that expedition. He appears to have 
inherited much of his mother's energy of character, 
and to have been distinguished for great frankness, 
determination and bravery, qualities which secured him 
the unlimited confidence of the people of ISTew Jersey. 
He was also undoubtedly held in much estimation by 
General "Washington, Governor Livingston and other 
leaders in the war of independence. 

How long Mr. Frelinghuysen remained tutor of 
the College, at its first organization, we are unable to 
state. He was for many years a member of the 
faculty, and as one of the Trustees took the deepest 
interest in its welfare. In Oct., 1784, when the Board 
were disappointed in obtaining the services of a Presi- 
dent, Mr. F. consented to take temporary charge of 
the institution in connection with Mr. Kirkpatrick as 
teacher of the Grammar School. He resided in 'New 
Brunswick at that period, but subsequently removed 
to Millstone, then called Hillsborough, the county seat 
of Somerset county, where he died in 1804. 

Another of the early tutors of the college, probably 
the successor of Mr. Frelinghuysen, was Col. John 
Taylob, who continued in the institution with the ex- 
ception of one or two intervals, down to 1795. Pie 
appears to have been a man of much energy of cha- 
racter as well as learning ; and, like his predecessor, 
became a distinguished partisan on the patriotic side, 
during the Eevolutionary war. He was an intimate 



35 

correspondent with Gov. Livingston, and with the 
other leading men of that period. In a letter to the 
governor, dated December 25, 1779, he speaks of the 
necessity of his attending the examination at Qneen's 
College, and of his being associated with Col. Freling- 
huysen in certain military arrangements. His atten- 
tion seems to have been divided between his dnties as 
colonel of the ISTew Jersey State Regiment, called from 
time to time, as the needs of the province required, 
into active military operation, and his duties as pro- 
fessor and principal teacher in Queen's College. After 
leaving Queen's, he became a professor in Union 
College, at Schenectady, at its inception in 1796, and 
is said to be recollected there as professor of almost 
every thing, and died in 1801 greatly beloved.^ 



' During the war the professor and students were sometimes com- 
pelled bj' the presence of the enemy, or the disorder and confusion 
incident to the presence of our own troops, to pursue their acade- 
mical labors at a distance from New Brunswick. The New Jersey 
Gazette, published at Trenton, contains a number of notices which 
evince this fact. Thus : May 5, 1778, notice of a meeting of the 
Trustees at the house of John Bennett, near Somerset Com-t House 
[Millstone], signed, J. R. Hardenbergh, Clerk. To this notice is 
appended a further note, that the business of Queen's College in New 
Jersey formerly carried on in New Brunswick, is begun at North 
Branch of Raritan in the county of Somerset, in a pleasant and re- 
tu-ed neighborhood ; lodging and board to be had in decent families 
at £30 per annum : Apply to John Tailor, A. M., tutor at the place 
aforesaid. 

May 17, 1778. The public are informed that a Grammar school 
is open at Raritan, Somerset county [now Somerville], where decent 
accommodations for yoimg gentlemen can be had at the moderate price 
of £30 per annum. The Faculty of Queen's College having the care 
and direction of the school, will make it their particular part to attend 



Several efforts had, in the meantime, been made to 
procure a president of the institution, who should 
either he the professor of theology for the whole 
church, or should occupy some other prominent posi- 
tion that might give him a prestige before the public, 
and contribute to his support. In May 1772, it was 



to the education and conduct of the youth. Apply to John Bogbrt 
at Earitan. 

Sept. 2, 1778. The commencement of Queen's College is to be held 
at New Brunswick, 15th September. The Trustees are requested to 
meet at the same time and place, as some necessaiy business and 
some important matters respecting alterations and amendments of 
the charter will be submitted to the consideration of the Board. 
Signed, J. R. Hardenbergh, clerk. 

The following note is added. The advertisers of the Grammar 
school at Earitan beg leave to inform the public that the price of 
board therein mentioned was regulated according to the regulation 
act of the state. But as that act has since been suspended, they con- 
sider themselves no further responsible for that part of the adver- 
tisement. 

Earitan, Januaiy 24, 1779. The Faculty of Queen's College take 
this method to inform the public, that the business of the said college 
is still carried on at the North Branch of Earitan in the county of 
Somerset, where good accommodations for young gentlemen may be 
had, in respectable families, at as moderate prices as in any part of 
the state. This neighborhood is so far distant from Head Quarters, 
that not any of the troops are stationed here, neither does the army 
in the least interfere with the business of the College. The Faculty 
also take the liberty to remind the public that the representatives 
of this state have enacted a law by which students at College are 
exempted from military duty. 

Hillsborough, May 25th, 1780. The vacation of Queen's College 
at Hillsborough in the coianty of Somerset, and of the Grammar 
school ,in the city of New Brunswick, is expired ; and the business 
of each is agam commenced. Good lodgings may be procured in 
both places at as low a rate as in any part of the state. By order of 
the Faculty. John Taylor, 

Clerk, Tpro tem. 



37 

proposed, in the board of trustees, to elect the Rev. 
Dr. John H. Livingston president of the College and 
professor of theology ; hut as the views of the General 
Convention of the Dutch church had not been fully 
ascertained with regard to the location of their pro- 
fessorship of theology, which it was in every way 
desirable to have connected with the College, the 
matter was postponed until a more definite under- 
standing could be had on the subject. 

The Trustees also addressed letters to the Classis of 
Amsterdam, and the Theological Faculty of Utrecht, 
in Holland, requesting those bodies to recommend a 
person qualified to be called as President of the Col- 
lege, and able to instruct youth in sacred theology. 

In October, 1773, the Convention of the Dutch 
Reformed churches, which in later years crystalized 
into the General Synod, met at Kingston, and the 
Trustees of the College made a representation to this 
venerable body, informing it of what had been done, 
and of the desire of the Trustees to have the profes- 
sorship of divinity of the churches, connected with 
the College at I^ew Brunswick, and commended the 
College to the kind regards of the body. 

The Convention resolved that N'ew Brunswick Avas 
the most suitable place of residence for the professor , 
of divinity on account of its relation to Queen's Col- 
lege, there situated, as well as to the students in regard 
to livelihood and other circumstances. They approved 
the caution of the Trustees with regard to the selec- 
tion of a person as professor of theology, who also 



38 



should be tlie President of tlie College, They also 
promised to use their endeavors to increase the funds 
which the Trustees of the College had collected, 
amounting in that time to £4,000, so as to make the 
same a sufficient call. They also resolved to consult 
the Classis of Amsterdam with regard to a proper 
candidate for the professorship. Thus commenced the 
long correspondence between the Church and the 
College in reference to the establishment of the theo- 
logical institution at ISTew Brunswick. The answer 
from the Classis of Amsterdam and the University of 
Utrecht, who recommended Dr. Livingston as professor 
of theology, was delayed by various causes until 
January, 1775, and was not laid before the Convention 
until May in that year, a few days after the battle of 
Lexington. The state of public feeling at this time 
was such that the members hastily terminated their 
session, and the business of the professorship was post- 
poned. Hostilities with the mother country still con- 
tinuing, nothing farther was done in the matter until 
after the war. 

In December, 1783, the Trustees, after the death of 
Mr. Leydt, proposed to the consistories of New Bruns- 
wick and Six Mile Run, to call Dr. Hardenbergh as 
President of the College if they would tender him a 
call as pastor, it being impossible from the state of the 
College funds to give the president an independent 
support. The consistories preferred Rev. Dirk Romeyn 
of Hackensack ; the Trustees yielded and a call was 
made accordingly, which was declined by Mr. Romeyn. 



39 



lu 1784 the General Synod appointed Rev. Dr. Living- 
ston professor of theology, and in May, 1785, return- 
ing to the hope that the Synod would locate their 
professorship of theology at 'New Brunswick, the 
trustees made a call on Dr. Livingston as professor of 
divinity and President of the College, which, however, 
was also declined. 

In June of the same year another eiFort was made, 
in consequence of which the congregations of ISTew 
Brunswick and Millstone agreed with the Trustees of 
the College, to make a joint call on Dr. Hardenbergh, 
who was unanimously chosen president, and who, on 
the following January, accepted the office as previously 
mentioned. Thus Dr. Hardenbergh became the first 
President of the College, and continued to be president 
and professor of moral philosophy from that time 
until his death, in 1790. 

It thus appears that the founders and early promoters 
of this College, were sturdy patriots, as well as 
lovers of learning ; that they were intensely American, 
and opposed to all foreign interference and influence; 
that they were men of high character and undoubted 
courage ; and that whilst they made every efibrt which 
the condition of the times permitted to place the 
institution on a basis of usefulness, they commenced 
in an unpropitious time, and under unfavorable 
circumstances. The church from which they should 
have received support was divided by factions ; and, 
before they had fairly commenced operations, the 
country became involved in an exhausting war, which 



40 



continued for eight years, ITevertheless, under all 
these adverse influences a considerable body of stu- 
dents was collected, and instruction was continued 
in the College until 1795, when, from the want of 
funds and patronage, the institution was closed. 

This forms the fij-st period in the history of the 
College, extending from 1770 to 1795. 

During this period more than sixty young men 
received their degree of A.B., some of whom in after 
years became prominent in the church and in civil 
Hfe. 

Among these in one of the earlier years was gradu- 
ated the Hon. James Schureman, afterwards senator 
from N'ew Jersey in congress, and a very eminent 
citizen of the state. 

In 1776 was graduated the Hon. Simeon De Witt, 
though in consequence of the approach of the British 
army he did not formally receive his degrees until two 
years later. He followed the military example of his 
teachers, as did many of the students. His home was 
in Ulster county, where he joined a battalion organized 
to meet the incursion of Gen. Burgoyne. He received 
the appointment of adjutant, but on arriving at the 
seat of war the men were incorporated into a regiment 
already existing, and Mr. De Witt went into the ranks 
as a private, and in this capacity was present in the 
battle which decided the fate of Burgoyne, and at his 
subsequent surrender. 

In the meantime he was pursuing his studies and 
giving attention to the practical business of survey- 



41 



ing. He was a nephew of Gen. James Clinton, the 
father of De "Witt Clinton, Gen. Washington having 
inquired of that gentleman for a person qualified to 
act as geographer (or topographical engineer) of the 
army, he recommended his nephew, Mr. De "Witt, as 
a proper person for the situation. He was accordingly 
appointed, in 1778, assistant to Col. Robert Erskine, 
then geographer-in-chief, on whose death, in 1780, he 
was appointed head of the department. 

This office required his continued attachment to the 
main army, and in the march to Yorktown he and his 
assistants were constantly employed in surveying the 
country, and he was present during the siege and sur- 
render of that place, having had the signal good 
fortune, as he afterwards said, to witness the surrender 
of the two royal armies of Burgoyne and Cornwallis. 

In May, 1784, he was appointed surveyor-general 
of ISTew York, and held that office during his whole 
life, which was terminated in 1835. 

In this capacity, it became his duty not only to assist 
the Pennsylvania commissioners, Rittenhouse and Elli- 
cott, to locate the line between Pennsylvania and I^ew 
York, which service was completed in 1787 ; but to lay 
out large quantities of the state lands in order to pre- 
pare them for sale to settlers. 

In the performance of the latter duty Mr. DeWitt 
adopted a system which was also applied by him to 
the survey of the Rensselaer manor. This was the 
division of the public lands into squares of half a mile 
each, bounded by lines and arranged in ranks, cor- 



42 



responding with the cardinal points of the compass. 
This division of lands formed lots of one hundred and 
sixty acres each, or what is now known as a quarter 
section, a quantity of land commensurate to the pur- 
poses of an ordinary farm. 

The farms of Albany and Rensselaer counties in ISTew 
York, those portions of them which were settled after 
this period, are located according to this arrangement, 
and the farms of Western New York were arranged in 
the same manner. The system thus adopted is not 
only characterized by great beauty and order, but is 
well calculated to prevent disputes between adjoining 
owners in reference to the location of boundary lines, 
and has a tendency to produce quiet and security with 
regard to the legal titles of lands. 

The same system was afterwards adopted in the go- 
vernment sui'veys throughout the extended West, and 
no country in the world has ever exhibited such an 
orderly and beautiful arrangement of its public land 
surveys as that of the United States. Principal meri- 
dians and parallels are first established at proper dis- 
tances from each other. From these base lines of 
operation subordinate meridians and parallels are run 
in such a manner as to divide up the public territory 
into checkered plots of half a mile square, duly num- 
bered and registered, so that the emigrant, before 
leaving his home in Germany, may purchase his farm, 
and after crossing the Atlantic, be directed to its loca- 
tion with unerring certainty, and find its exterior 
boundaries duly located and marked. 



43 



This entire system of surveys has been attributed, 
and no doubt Avith truth, to Surveyor-General DeWitt. 
If he was really the originator, he has stamped the im- 
press of his genius upon th.e land system of this whole 
country. Where he obtained the hint which led him 
to its adoption, we are not directly informed, but it is 
perhaps not too much to say that the principles of in- 
struction which prevailed in this institution were the 
means of bringing it to his mind. This College was 
founded by men who derived their origin and traditions 
from Holland, a country governed by the principles of 
the civil law. The mode of dividing lands adopted by 
the Roman Agrimensores, or land surveyors, was pre- 
cisely that which Mr. DeWitt adopted in his practice. 
All the public lands of the republic or empire, when 
distinbuted amongst the veterans of the army, or 
others, were divided by a series of meridian lines located 
at certain distances apart arid intersected by other lines 
running in an easterly direction, which divided the 
lands into equal squares. A learned description of this 
system of land surveying amongst the Romans, may 
be found in the appendix to the second volume of Me- 
buhr's History of Rome, and Smith's Dictionary of Greek 
and Roman Antiquities, article Ager. But until recently 
this branch of Roman learning was known to very few, 
and lay concealed in recondite and rare treatises, which 
seldom met the eye of the ordinary scholar.^ 



' Mr. De Witt's claim as originator of the system adopted for the 
government siu-veys is corroborated by the fact that this system was 



44 



Mr. De Witt was a worthy Alumnus of tlie College. 
He was a man of irreproacliable character ; so fasti- 
dious, indeed, in reference to every thing that might 
raise a suspicion of his integrity, that it is said he 



first distinctly suggested and marked out in an ordinance reported 
by a committee of tlie old congress, of which Mr. Jefferson was chair- • 
man, on the 7th of May, 1784 (see Journals of Continental Congress, 
vol. IX, pages 205, 242). The ordinance was entitled " an ordinance 
for ascertaining the mode of locating and disposing of lands in the 
western territoiy," and was not finally passed until May 20th, 1785 
{Journals, vol. x, p. 167). In its original form, however, it contained 
all the substantial elements of the system as finally adopted ; and, at 
the time the subject was before the committee, and when they made 
their report, Mr. De Witt was the geographer-in-chief of the Conti- 
nental army, appointed by the congress ; and was, at that very time 
soliciting the aid of congress to assist him in the publication of his 
maps made during the progress of the war. Of all men in existence, 
at that time, he was the one whom the committee would first consult 
on this subj ect. And the exact coincidence between the plan indicated 
in their report and the plan pursued by Mr. De Witt in his practice is 
strong evidence that it was his plan. We also know that the subject 
of the government surveys of the western tenitory was one which had 
a strong interest for him. Within three months prior to the report 
made by the committee, he wrote as follows : " If a new state is to be 
laid off" adjoining Pennsylvania and Virginia, as has been expected,! 
have liopes that from the parity of office I now hold, andthatof surveyor-gene ■ 
ral to such a state, congress will he inclined to transfer me to that depart- 
ment." And undoubtedly he would have received the appointment 
under the ordinance had not its passage been delayed for more than 
a year. Meantiuie on the 13th of May, 1784, less than a week after 
the committee made their report, he received the appointment of 
surveyor-general of New York, and was deeply engaged in his duties 
under that appointment long before the congressional plan became 
a law. His eminent fitness for the position of government surveyor, 
however, was not forgotten. In 1796, when the land laws were 
revised by congress. President Washington, without his Imowledge, 
nominated him to the senate as surveyor-general of the United States, 
and the nomination was promptly confirmed. But he felt impelled 
to decline the appointment. 



45 

never pnrcliased a foot of land in the public domains, 
althongli rare opportunities for profitable speculation 
frequently presented themselves, in the course of his 
long experience as public surveyor. He was devotedly 
attached to scientific pursuits. Let his name be held 
in lasting remembrance and let him b^ held up as a 
noble example to his fellow Alumni. 

It may not be generally known that duiing the 
period which we are now considering, the Hon. Andrew 
Kirkpatrick, so long distinguished as the able chief 
justice of this state, was engaged as a teacher of the 
grammar school of this institution for several years. 
The advertisement cited in the note to a former page 
shows that he was employed for the year commencing 
October, 1784, and had been employed in previous 
years. The minutes show that he was also employed 
for the following years. This school has been continued 
at all times whether the College was in operation or 
not, and has been as it is now a most valuable adjunct 
to the institution. Under its present management it 
has attained a high degree of prosperity and useful- 
ness.' 



^Rev. Mr. Lindsley succeeded Mr. Kirkpatrick in 1786; then came 
Mr. Ogilvie ; and, after him, Mr. Stevenson, who was in charge for 
several years. After Mr. Stevenson, Rev. John Croes (subsequently 
bishop of the Episcopal church of New Jersey), conducted the 
grammar school in the College building from 1801 to 1808, at the 
same time performing his duties as rector of Christ church. Dming 
this period the exercises of the College were suspended. Mr. Croes, 
being a warm personal friend of Dr. Condit, rendered valuable assist- 
ance to the latter in 1807-1809, in his efforts to forward the new 
building and to get the College again into operation. 



46 

It liad now (1795), become evident that the time 
was not ripe for tlie College to be self-sustaining. But 
the trustees did not abandon the undertaldng. With 
the funds which they had collected, they had procured 
a lot, and in 1787-1789, had constructed a building, 
which stood near the present location of the Second 
Presbyterian Church in B'ew Brunswick; and their 
hope now was, that the lapse of time, the troubles of 
the war, and the changes which a quarter of a century 
brings about, had allayed the feelings of jealousy and 
opposition with which one party in the church had 
regarded the College ; and that another effort to con- 
nect with it the Theological school of the church 
might be attended with success. 

It will be remembered that the trustees of the Col- 
lege, in 1772, wrote to the classis of Amsterdam and 
to the University of Utrecht for advice as to a proper 
person to become president of the College, and that 
the general convention of 1773 wrote to the classis in 
the same manner for advice as to a proper professor 
of theology. These bodies, in the beginning of 1775, 
recommended Dr. Livingston as a proper professor. 
But the war prevented any further action on the sub- 
ject. In October 1784, the General Synod, as before 
stated, appointed Dr. Livingston professor of theology 
at 'New York, In May, 1786, he delivered his inau- 
gural address. This was the first Theological school, 
purely such, ever established in this country. It was 
continued from that time, with various fortune, to the 
present. In 1796, the professor established himself at 



47 

Bedford, near Brooklyn, Long Island, in order to meet 
the popular demand for a cheap location for the stu- 
dents. In 1797, the synod in a capricious moment, 
withdrew all eiForts to furnish a support for the Theo- 
logical Professorate, and Dr. Livingston returned to 
ISTew York, where his pastoral relation with the Colle- 
giate church had always been maintained ; still con- 
tinuing, however, to teach such students as chose 
to attend his lectures. The synod at the same time 
appointed Dr. T. Romeyn, of Schenectady, and Rev. 
Solomon Froeligh, of Schralenburg, additional profess- 
ors of theology. In 1804, the synod again declared 
that Dr. Livingston was the regular professor of theo- 
ogy, and the others only occasional professors, but con- 
tinued them in their offices for life. Resolutions, 
however, were adopted for the employment of vigorous 
measures to raise a fund for the support of the regular 
professorship. 

Thus matters stood until 1807, when, under the spe- 
cial inspiration of Rev. Dr. Condit, of ITew Brunswick, 
measures were inaugurated for resuscitating the Col- 
lege. The trustees now proposed to erect a new edifice 
of a more substantial and spacious character, at an 
expense of twelve thousand dollars. To enable them 
to raise so large an amount, (which seemed then so 
large, they applied to the Particular Synod of JSTew 
York for their patronage and permission to canvass 
the churches in order to raise the donations requisite 
for accomplishing the desired object. This was all 
they asked. The synod conceded their permission. 



48 

and reeomraended the project to the churches, on con- 
dition, however, that all the money raised outside of 
New Jersey should he a fund exclusively appropriated 
to the education of young men for the ministry and 
the estahlishment of a Theological school upon such 
conditions and stipulations as should be proposed by 
the General Synod and agreed between them and the 
trustees. Subject to this condition, the synod not 
only granted its permission to canvass the churches, as 
desired, but expressly enjoined upon all their minis- 
ters to aid the agents of the College in raising the funds 
which they needed. This proposition looked very 
decidedly towards a union of the two institutions and 
the establishment of the Theological school in New 
Brunswick, The trustees were taken by surprise, but 
on reflection, concluded that the arrangement pro- 
mised greater things than they had at first contem- 
plated. They finally, on June 25, 1807, accepted the 
proposition in terms, and resolved immediately to 
solicit subscriptions within the bounds of ISTew Jersey 
for the erection of the contemplated building; and 
eflicient committees were at once appointed for this 
purpose. Dr. Condit and Rev. J. S. Yredenburg, of 
Somerville, were appointed a committee to complete 
the negotiations with the General Synod which was 
soon to meet. The committee proposed to General 
Synod : " That in case the General Synod agree to 
unite the professorate with the College, the trustees 
will call no professor of Theology, but such as shall 
be nominated and chosen for the purpose by the Gene- 



t9 

ral Synod, agreeably to such arrangements and condi- 
tions as shall now be made by the General Synod, and 
which if mutually accepted shall serve as the basis of a 
covenant between the synod and the trustees." 

The G-eneral Synod joyfully accepted the proposition, 
approved of the action of the Synod of ISTew York, 
and appointed a committee, consisting of Rev. Dr. 
John 1^. Abeel, Jeremiah Romeyn and J. M. Bradford, 
with several lay elders, to confer with the committee 
of the trustees on the subject. The result was the 
covenant between the General Synod and the trustees 
of the College, known as the Covenant of 1807, the 
principal stipulations of which were, besides the con- 
ditions above stated and agreed on, that all funds 
raised for the College in ISTew York should be exclu- 
sively appropriated to the support of a theological 
professorship in the College, and the assistance of 
young men desirous of entering into the ministry; 
that the trustees should appoint no professor of theo- 
logy but such as should be nominated by the synod ; 
that the permanent professorship of theology of the 
synod should be located at ITew Brunswick ; that the 
trustees should call the professor appointed by the 
synod as soon as they obtained a fund sufficient for 
his support, which call synod requested that he should 
forthwith accept ; that a board of superintendents of 
the Theological institution in Queens College should 
be appointed by synod to examine theological candi- 
dates, etc., and that synod should provide money to 
purchase a theological library, and for erecting a 



50 



theological hall, or contribute their proportion toward 
erecting a building for their joint accommodation. 

This was the covenant Superintendents of the Theo- 
logical institution were at once appointed, and Dr. 
Abeel, and Eev. Jer. Eomeyn were appointed a com- 
mittee to attend the next meeting of the trustees to 
perfect any further details which the arrangements 
might require. 

And here it is proper to say that the Rev. Dr. John 
!N". Abeel, then one of the m.imsters of the Collegiate 
churches of ISTew York, deserves high and honorable 
mention for the zeal and ability with which he entered 
into the plans for reviving the College. He was four 
years the junior of Dr. Condit; both being now in the 
prime of life, Dr. Condit in his forty-fourth, and Dr. 
Abeel in his fortieth year. He was born in ISTew York, 
educated partly at Morristown, 1^. J., and graduated 
at Princeton, in 1787. He studied law for a short 
period under Hon. "William Paterson in Kew Bruns- 
wick ; but after about a year spent in that pursuit he 
resolved to devote himself to the ministry, and become 
a student of theology under Dr. Livingston. 

He was licensed to preach in 1793, and became a 
colleague of Dr. Ashbel Green in the Second Presby- 
terian church in Philadelphia. In 1795 he received a 
call from the Collegiate Dutch church in !^[ew York, 
where he remained, universally esteemed and beloved, 
in the exercise of a wide and powerful influence, until 
his death, which occurred in January, 1812, but a few 
months after that of his friend and co-laborer Dr. Con- 



51 

dit. He was the author of the able address "to the 
churches which was issued in behalf of the College, by- 
order of synod immediately after its adjournment in 
1807, and in which is contained a summary and mas- 
terly review of the previous efforts made by the church 
to establish a theological school, of the origin and 
objects of the College, and the advantages which its 
reorganization under the present arrangement pro- 
mised to effect. It concludes with an earnest appeal 
to the benevolence of the churches. " The plan now 
submitted," say the committee, " forms the church's 
last hope, and the committee are happy in having it 
in their power to state that this hope has been greatly 
encouraged by the generous contributions of one poi'- 
tion of her members (referring to the contributions 
already made in Wew Jersey), its consummation rests 
with those to whom the application is yet to be made. 
If these contribute in any due proportion to their 
means, the poor and pious youth, who glows Avith zeal 
to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, will find 
support while he is obtaining competent furniture for 
his work; the congregations which have been long 
mourning their silent sabbaths will be supplied; and 
future generations feel the benefit of a faithful aud 
able ministry. 

This document is appended to the minutes of 1807, 
and will ever remain a valuable contribution to the 
history, not only of the College, but the church. It 
had a decided and powerful efiTect. In the city of New 
York alone, subscriptions to the professoral fund to 



52 



the amount of over $10,000 were obtained in a few- 
days. 

The arrangement thus made between the synod and 
the College greatly encouraged the trustees, and stimu- 
lated the subscriptions, in which so much success was 
made that the trustees immediately resolved to open 
the College, as well as to prosecute with vigor the 
measures for erecting the new building. 

Dr. Condit was requested to take immediate charge 
of the highest class, which entered junior, and his son, 
Daniel Harrison Condit, in !N"ov. 1809, Avas appointed 
a tutor to assist in teaching the other classes. In 
December, 1809, Mr. Robert Adrian, who had proved 
himself a successful teacher in Reading, Pa., was 
appointed a professor of mathematics. And so the 
College was again put in operation. Dr. Livingston 
was elected professor of theology, and accepted, but 
remained in I^ew York until 1810. He was also 
elected President of the College, but at first declined. 
Dr. Condit was then elected to the presidency : but 
he deemed the office incompatible with the duties he 
owed to his church, which he continued to perform in 
their fullest extent. The amount of strain on the 
mind and body of this eminent and faithful man must 
at this period, have been immense. He had the pas- 
toral care of one of the largest churches in the 
denomination. He taught the College classes, the 
junior class, in 1807-8, and the junior and senior 
classes in 1808-9 and 1809-10. He also, as a leading 
member of the board of trustees, was actively engaged 



53 

in all the concerns of the College, especially in the 
efforts to collect funds for erecting the new huilding, 
and causing the work duly to progress. He procured 
by his own exertions subscriptions in the city of ISTew 
Brunswick and its vicinity, to the amount of $6,370, 
during the year 1807, and continued his efforts in 
that direction during the time the College was build- 
ing. Such an accumulation of labors and responsi- 
bilities was mor-e than human nature could bear. 
Like his predecessor, Dr. Hardenberg, he was destined 
to spend and be spent in the cause of the College. ISTo 
wonder that his face, as it looks down upon us from 
yonder frame, has a sad and wearied look. Ko won- 
der that the cord of life snapped under the tension, 
when he was yet in the very prime of his years and 
usefulness. "Which of us has done what he did before 
reaching his forty-eighth year. Here again we see 
exemplified the great truth that " life is measured by 
its work." 

In connection with the reminiscences of Dr. Con- 
dit, we have brought again before us glimpses of that 
noble Christian matron, Juffrow Hardenbergh, truly 
a mother in Israel. She survived until 1807, the year 
which witnessed the revival of the College. And many 
a time. Dr. Condit on entering his church, bending 
beneath the burden of his cares, and weighed down 
with a too habitual despondency, would stop at the 
pew of this eminent servant of Christ, and receive 
from her vivacious and intrepid spirit draughts of 
courage and consolation which his weary soul required. 



54 

But Dr. Condit's special work was accomplished. 
The corner stone of the present College was laid on 
the 27th April, 1809. In a report to synod, made in 
June 1809, Dr. Condit as president of the board, of 
trustees, says : " The trustees have revived the exer- 
cises of the College with flattering prospects of success. 
They have a small number in each of the classes, the 
whole amounting to about thirty students. They have 
also a very respectable and flourishing grammar school, 
in which the languages are taught, we believe, with 
as great accuracy and to as great perfection as in any 
school within the circle of our acquaintance. The 
trustees have likewise commenced the building of the 
College and Theological hall, and hope to enclose the 
whole this season." The building was so far advanced 
as to be covered in the fall of 1810.' 

Meantime, Dr. Livingston accepted the renewed 
call to the presidency of the institution in May, 1810, 
and removed to E'ew Brunswick that year ; thus con- 
summating the union between the two institutions. 



' The ground on which the College is erected was a donation from 
the devisees of the elder James Parker, of Perth-Amboy, through 
the late Hon. James Parker, of that place. The donation consisted 
of five acres. The trustees afterwards purchased of Mr. Parker, 
another parcel which was included in the same deed. The trustees 
who took the most active interest in the building, and in the reesta- 
hlishment of the College, were, besides Dr. Condit, Chief Justice 
Kii'kpatrick, James Shureman, Esq., Rev. Dr. John Sliureman, Col. 
John Neilson, Jacob R. Hardenbergh, Abraham Blauvelt, Staats 
Van Deursen, Col. Van Dyke, Rev. John S. Vredenburgh, Dr. Charles 
Smith, William P. Deare, Dr. Cannon, Dr. Dimham, and Rev. H. 
Polhemus. The building committee were, Messrs. Blauvelt, Shure- 
man and Van Deiirsen. 



55 

His inaugural address was delivered September 25, 
and was replete with, historical interest. 

The care of the building and of the general affairs 
of the College still pressed heavily on Dr. Condit, who 
survived but a few months after Dr. Livingston's 
inauguration. 

His death was sudden. It occurred the 1st of June, 
1810, and was the result of an attack of pneumonia ; 
but it was characterized by a remarkable intrepidity 
and self-possession whicb left a deep and lasting impres- 
sion on those who witnessed it. Dr. Thomas DeWitt, 
then^a student of theology and an inmate of Ms family, 
has given us a vivid picture of the closing scene. 
" When to all appearance he was near his end, to our 
wonder and satisfaction he arose in his bed, observed 
the~great necessity of prayer, and that finding the hour 
of death a solemn one, requested those who were pre- 
sent to join with him. He then made a most powerful 
solemn, and connected prayer of about four minutes. 
Wbat appeared surprising was, that in his feeble con- 
dition he was enabled to speak so long without inter- 
ruption. It appeared as if the Lord had given him 
special strength." So be died. His only son, Daniel 
Harrison Condit, a young man of great promise, 
who bad for some time assisted his father as tutor in 
the College, followed him to the grave in less than three 
short montbs, and left tbe widow and daughters to the 
protection of an all-merciful Providence, who never 
yet has deserted those who have tbus been cast upon 
his care. From his aged relict, before her departure. 



56 



it has often been my happiness to hear stories of this 
departed time, which gave a silver lining to the dark 
cloud of oblivion which so soon envelopes the past. 

I cannot relate in detail the subsequent events in 
the history of the College. It still continued to suffer, 
as before under the stress of inadequate funds. The 
connection with the theological school did not produce 
that relief which was anticipated. Dr. Livingston, 
though nominally president, did little more in the lite- 
rary institution than to preside at public exercises and 
sign diplomas. The actual instruction was performed 
by others. Dr. Adrian, as professor of mathematics 
and natural philosophy, and his successor Professor 
Henry Vethake, fulfilled their duties with great suffi- 
ciency and satisfaction. Rev. Dr. John Schureman, 
the successor of Dr. Condit in the Dutch chui'ch at 
'New Brunswuck, was appointed vice-president of the 
College, and professor of moral philosophy, and belles 
lettres, and Rev. Cornelius C. Yermeule, for a short 
period acted as professor of languages. But the Col- 
lege did not prosper in resources and patronage. In 
1816, the literary department was again suspended, 
and during the whole period of nine years in which it 
was in operation, the number of graduates amounted 
to only a little over forty. Some of these, it is true, 
became an honor to their alma mater. In the class of 
1809, we have the names of Cornelius L. Hardenbergh 
"William Yan Deursen, and Rynear Veghte ; also in 
that of 1812, we recognize the familiar name of Dr. 
Isaac i^. "Wyckoff. 



57 



This closes the second period of the collegiate history. 

It is unnecessary that I should attempt any notice 
of the venerable Dr. Livingston, whose name is known 
in all the churches. His profound learning, his exten- 
sive influence, his zeal for the welfare of the Reformed 
church, and his success in securing the affection and 
exciting the energies of the young men who resorted 
to him for theological instruction, are as familiar as 
household words. Few men have so extensively im- 
pressed their characters upon the generation in which 
they lived. He finished his course in this city on the 
20th of January, 1825, in the 79th year of his age. 
His biography belongs more appropriately to the theo- 
logical than to the literary institution, and is, besides, 
so well known that it would be affectation to enlarge 
upon it on this occasion. 

He was succeeded in the theological chair by Rev, 
Dr. Milledoler, of 'New York. A renewed effort was 
now made to revive the exercises of the College. 

The theological seminary had lately been strength- 
ened by the endowment of a second professorship. 
Dr. John Schureman, besides being pastor of the 
church, and vice-president and professor of the College, 
was professor of pastoral theology and ecclesiastical 
histoi-y in the theological seminary from 1815 until 1818, 
the time of his death. He was succeeded by Rev. 
John Ludlow in the church and seminary from 1819 
to 1823. The exercises of the College being then sus- 
pended, Dr. Ludlow did not ofiiciate in it. He was 
succeeded in the seminary by Dr. John DeWitt, in 



58 

1823, as professor of biblical literature and ecclesiasti- 
cal history. 

Dr. Milledoler, ou Ms accession to tbe chair of theo- 
logy, deemed it highly important to the interests of 
the theological seminary that the College should be 
revived ; and he believed that it might be successfully 
accomplished, says Dr. Polhemus, in his Alumni 
address of 1852, by raising forthwith the amount 
necessary for a third theological professorship, and 
obtaining gratuitously the services of the theological 
professors in the literary institution. This plan he 
proposed to his colleague. Dr. DeWitt, who entered 
heartily into the scheme, which was at once approved 
by the trustees, and gave rise to a new covenant 
between the trustees and General Synod, called the 
covenant of 1825. 

The College edifice and lot had been transferred to 
the synod in the same year in consideration of the 
latter advancing the sum of $4,000 to pay off" a debt 
which the trustees had incurred. 

The terms of the new covenant were, in sub- 
stance, that the College building should be used for 
both institutions; that the theological professors 
should assist in the literary instruction of the College ; 
that the trustees should appoint a professor of lan- 
guages, and a professor of mathematics and natural 
philosophy, and such additional professors as the 
parties should agree upon ; that one of the theolo- 
gical professors should be appointed president of the 
College, etc. 



59 

This plan proved eminently successful. The fauds 
for the third theological professorship were secured, 
the clergy themselves subscribing $10,000 of the 
amount. The College was resuscitated. In addition 
to the theological professors, who had various literary 
professorships, Dr. Adrian was reappointed professor 
of mathematics, and Dr. Brownlee, professor of lan- 
guages; and Dr. Milledoler was elected president of 
the College. Dr. Joseph ISTelson succeeded Dr. Brown- 
lee in 1826, and Professor Theodore Strong, succeeded 
Dr. Adrian in 1827, and the College has proceeded on 
its career of usefulness from that day to this. Its 
name was changed to Rutgers College in 1825, in con- 
sequence of the munificent aid rendered to it by Col. 
Henry Rutgers, of 'New York. 

During the third and last period of the history, 
several changes have occurred in the relations between 
the College on one side, and the church and seminary 
on the other. 

In 1839, the covenant was modified by the synod 
surrendering to the trustees, the free appointment of 
the president, it being provided that no theological 
professor should thereafter be appointed president ; and 
in the year 1840, the synod by resolution referred the 
whole administration of the College to the trustees, 
without supervision or restriction, requesting the theo- 
logical professors, however, to continue such services 
to the College as they had previously given, or such 
as they could render without interfering with their 
other duties. 



60 

The College was becoming more and more able to 
sustain itself, and the duties of the theological profes- 
sors in the seminary were becoming m.ore and more 
absorbing. The result was that the connection between 
the two institutions became more feeble every year, 
until, finally, in 1864, the College property was recon- 
veyed by the synod to the trustees for the consideration 
of twelve thousand dollars, and the theological pro- 
fessors ceased to have any further connection with the 
College.^ 

The two institutions are now standing, each by itself, 
in generous rivalry. Both, daughters of the church ; 
one retains its connection wholly therewith, being a 
purely ecclesiastical institution ; the other has only a 
moral connection. It draws from the bosom of the 
church its principal support ; it educates her sons ; it 
supplies the theological seminary with worthy recruits 
and renders rich returns to the church and to society, 
in the high culture, the sound learning, and the solid 
principles of its graduates. The present object of the 
trustees and faculty is to place the College in a position 
equal to that of any other in the land, as a seminary 
where these primary objects of collegiate instruction 
can be attained. 

In my haste to get over the ground which I had 
marked out, I have omitted to mention some of the 



'■ The deed of conveyance contains the following conditions : " that 
the property so conveyed shall be used and occupied by the College 
for the purpose of collegiate education, and the usual and proper 
incidents thereto ; and that the president of the College, and three- 
fourths of the members of its board of trustees shall always be 



61 

cherislie'd names wliicli are indelibly connected with, 
the history of this institution. There is the less neces- 
sity for muchL of the omitted portions on account of 
the recency and freshness of the events. 

All the graduates of my time will remember with 
sincere regard President Milledoler and his associates, 
Drs. Cannon, and Janeway, and Professors Strong, 
Ogilby and Beck. Dr. Milledoler was noted for the 
kindness and parental regard with which he treated 
the students. His introductory lectures to Paley, and 
his recitations on that author in moral and political 
philosophy, will ever be remembered by the classes 
from 1825 to 1840. His teachings were pervaded by 
a deep Christian feeling, and it seemed to be ever his 
desire to impress us with the deep importance to our- 
selves and to society, of the truths which we learned 
in his room. Dr. Cannon, who excelled in rich and 
accurate learning, and whose dignity of deportment 
and gentlemanly treatment of the students, seemed to 
inspire them with new self-respect, excited their deep- 
est reverence and affection for himself personally. 
"With my class, whatever may have been the case with 
others, a new-born desire to learn and a new pride in 
learning, especially in learning to think, seemed to 
pervade all except the merest triflers, the moment we 
commenced recitations in his room. And who can for- 



members in full communion of the Eeformed Protestant Dutch 
church of North America, and that on breach of either of these 
conditions, the deed of conveyance shall be void, and the title to the 
property revert to the synod." — Minutes of Synod, vol. x, p. 473. 



62 

get tlie kind and beneficent Janeway, (a Christian 
indeed, if ever there was one)? the profound and 
indulgent Strong? the accurate, keen and critical 
Ogilby ? the modest, learned and gentlemanly Beck ? 
If the range of our studies at that period, was not so 
great as more celebrated institutions could boast, and 
as Rutgers herself can now boast, we must, neverthe- 
less, acknowledge deep obligations to our Alma Mater, 
for the correct and earnest habits of thought which 
we acquired in her revered halls, and for the impress 
of generous and liberal culture, and gentlemanly feel- 
ing which we received. 

I feel that this word of remembrance is due to these 
intellectual guides of my youth, who have all now 
gone to the silent land. Fond memory often brings 
back their revered forms, and listens again to their 
words of instruction. The good influences that have 
been shed from these venerable men and their succes- 
sors upon those who have come up here for instruction 
in the rapid procession of the years, will never end. 

In 1840, Dr. Milledoler having resigned the presi- 
dency of the College, the Hon. A. Bruyn Hasbrouck, 
another worthy son of old Ulster, was appointed his 
successor, and for ten years devoted himself to the 
responsible duties of the office. Being himself a law- 
yer by profession, and distinguished in civil life, he 
gave a new impetus to the pulses of intellectual 
improvement by the introduction of lectures on con- 
stitutional and international law. How he won the 
attachment and the high respect of all his pupils, and 



63 

how he is still remembered by them with grateful and 
loving hearts, is better understood and' felt by many 
who now hear me than can be publicly described. He 
resigned the presidency in 1850, and the College will 
ever owe him a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices 
made in its behalf. 

The next president was the Hon. Theodore Freling- 
HUYSEN, who at the bar of 'New Jersey and in the 
national senate, won the highest distinction for elo- 
quence, purity and lofty integrity of purpose. He 
had been chancellor of the University of ISTew York 
since 1839, and was welcomed back to his native state, 
and to the scenes which had been consecrated, in early 
days, by the piety and Christian zeal of his ancestors. 
It is not too much to say that no person was ever more 
universally respected and beloved. His influence on 
this institution and on the young men who resorted to 
it for instruction was of the most genial and benefi- 
cent kind. And he occupied just that position in the 
church and in society which was needed to reconcile 
all interests, and to produce a united, friendly feeling 
toward the College. In 1862, this great and good man 
died, as he had lived, the Christian gentleman. 

To him succeeded the Rev. Dr. Wm. H. Campbell, 
who still presides over the College, and of whom it is 
enough to say that he came to his position with ripe 
learning and with large and varied experience in the art 
of teaching, and that he had a special work to do, and has 
so far been diligent in the doing of it. Dr. Campbell 
and the worthy band of associates by whom he was 



64 



siUTOunded, conceived tlie idea tliat Rutgers College 
liad au important mission to fulfill ; that it ought not 
to be second in point of excellence to any college in 
the country ; and that one of the means of effecting 
this object was its liberal endowment with funds and 
with all the apparatus and appliances of learning. 
This was his work. Itis yet but partially accomplished. 

The college in later years has grown in size and 
importance. It has really become a University. It 
consists of three distinct institutions, the college, the 
agricultural college, and the grammar school, — for 
this is really an integral part of the establishment. 
The classes succeed each other in regular gradation, 
from the lowest form in the grammar school to the 
senior class in College. And what is more import- 
ant still, the members of the school actually regard 
themselves as in regular order of succession for the 
final degree. 

The Agricultural College is under the care of the 
state, and was established in 1865, under an act of the 
legislature of ISTew Jersey, passed April 4, 1864. This 
act was passed for the purpose of carrying into effect 
the provisions of the act of congress, granting to the 
several states a certain quantity of the public lands to 
enable them to establish colleges for the promotion of 
agriculture and mechanical and scientific pursuits. 
The College, though distinct, is intimately connected 
with the literary institution. It enables students who 
desire it to pursue a strictly scientific coui-se of mechan- 
ics, natural philosophy, chemistry, engineering, etc. 



65 

It is calculated to be one of the noblest and most use- 
ful institutions of the state. 

Thus organized, the College is now furnished with 
ten professorships, all ably and efficiently filled, and 
has the additional assistance of three tutors, — all this 
besides the instruction given in the grammar school. 

We have a chair of moral philosophy and Christi- 
anity; of Greek language and literature; of Latin 
language and literature ; of rhetoric, logic and mental 
philosophy ; of history, political economy and consti- 
tutional law ; of mathematics, natural philosophy and 
astronomy ; of natural history and agriculture ; of 
analytical chemistry ; of civil engineering ; of mining 
and metallurgy. 

We have an astronomical observatory, well supplied 
with proper instruments ; we have a very fair philoso- 
phical apparatus ; — but, we have not a good library ; we 
have not the requisite room ; we have not yet a sufli- 
cient endowment of funds to make us feel secure in 
our position. We need books ; we need buildings ; we 
need funds. 

But judging from what has been done in the past, 
when our Alumni were few in numbers and when our 
resources were much inferior to those which we may 
now safely rely on, there is every ground for hope and 
encouragement to expect the consummation which our 
worthy president has aimed to accomplish. 

And here is the proper place to advert for one 
moment to the long list of noble deeds and noble 
natures which the college and its wants have called 



66 

fortli under tlie many vicissitudes of its origin and 
growth. I cannot enumerate them all. 

Elias Van BbnschotejST is a name which might have 
heen forgotten had he been a man of ordinary aims 
and purposes. His talents were not distinguished, his 
learning was not conspicuous. But the Lord put it 
into his heart to devise liberal things, and he has thereby 
created for himself a monumental memorial which will 
carry his name to remote generations. In 1814, he 
made a donation to the College, of some fourteen thou- 
sand dollars, then considered a much larger sum than at 
present, and which has since accumulated to over twenty 
thousand dollars, the income of which he directed 
should be applied to the support and education of 
pious youth who hope they have a call of Grod to preach 
the gospel of Jesus Christ. How many servants of God 
and lights of the church have been prepared for their 
work by the aid of this munificent donation ! 

In 1825, Col. Henry Eutgers, with a liberal hand 
sustained the feeble energies of the institution and 
enabled it to resume once more a place among the 
educational seminaries of the country. 

Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, of Albany, is also 
deserving of lasting remembrance for the liberal dona- 
tions bestowed by him from time to time. 

Abraham Van I^^est, of ]^ew York, is another of the 
honorable names that have become indelibly impressed 
upon the institutions here located. 

Daniel Schbnck has also registered his name high 
up on the roll of honor which has been opened for 



67 

those who desire to be remembered for something else 
than that they hved and accumulated houses and lands 
and died. 

Abraham Yoorhees is another, there are two of 
them : Abkaham Yoorhees, of Six Mile Eun, and 
Abraham Yoorhees, of E"ew Brunswick, who have 
not been contented simply to live and then to be for- 
gotten and unknown. 

And then there is a long roll of honorable donors 
who have from time to time helped to fill the exhausted 
treasury of the College, and to endow its funds. Their 
names shall not be forgotten. If the College had done 
nothing else but call forth these manifestations of 
noble munificence and liberality, these indications of 
an appreciation of those higher things which belong 
to the true dignity of man, it would have subserved a 
useful purpose. 

My brethren. Alumni of Rutgers College ! This 
work must not stop here. We have duties to perform 
as well as those who have gone before us. In their 
day of small things they have done what they could. 
Let us do what we can, and let us bequeath the same 
spirit to our successors ; let the sacred torch be handed 
on from one class to another — from one generation to 
the next — and I have no hesitation in venturing to pro- 
phesy that another half century will not pass away 
before our beloved College shall stand among the fore- 
most of those bulwarks of learning, and faith, and 
loyalty which constitute the landmarks of civilization 
and Christianity. 



68 

There are some reflections whicli a review of the 
century forcibly impresses upon the mind- 
One of deep import arises from the great and 
rapid changes which have taken place in systems of 
learning and education since 1770, and the progress 
which has been made in all sciences and in almost 
every branch of learning during that period. 

In the natural sciences, more especially, wonderful 
departures have been made. Even the mathematics 
of that day would be wholly inadequate to the investi- 
gations of the present. And in the sciences of natural 
philosophy, of chemistry and of natural history, new 
fields in every direction have been opened up, explored, 
subdued, cultivated. 

The whole system of modern chemistry has grown 
up since 1770. Only a few of the elementary sub- 
stances were then known. The method in which 
known substances could be analyzed, the laws by 
which their elements are combined, the forces which 
nature employs to combine them, the facts and princi- 
ples of electricity, magnetism and galvanism, were 
entirely unknown at that day. The nature of light, 
with its modifications under certain conditions ; the 
discoveries which it is capable of disclosing, by means 
of various hues and refractious, with regard to the 
composition of distant bodies in the heavens and 
unanalyzed bodies on earth, were entirely unknown. 
Geology as a science had not been born ; mineralogy 
was but slightly understood ; even natural history, as 
since developed and understood, was then its infancy, 



69 

and if we turn to the liuman sciences, the science of 
mind itself and of the higher metaphysics, we shall 
find that the discoveries and investigations which have 
been made since the year 1770, have opened up a new 
world to the curious inquirer. 

The science of language, maugre all the attention 
which had been given to the study of the ancient 
classical and oriental authors, had scarcely begun to 
be understood. The connection between the various 
languages of the earth, the Indian, Grerman, Greek 
and Latin, was entirely unknown. The ancient and 
sacred Sanscrit had not been explored by European 
scholars, and the key which that primeval tongue fur- 
nishes for unlocking the secrets imbedded in the lan- 
guages of different races had not been discovered. 

The curriculum of studies presented to the eager 
students of that day would furnish but a very mea- 
gre and inadequate course for the student of the 
present. 

Certainly in many things mankind have made great 
progress ; and what another century may bring forth 
it is vain for us to conjecture. 

The world rolls on with unceasing change, and such 
infinite combinations of invention and discovery take 
place that it would be worse than presumptuous for 
us to attempt to look forward into futurity, and to 
draw a picture of coming times. 

In every department, whether of science or philoso- 
phy, or art or literature, or politics or law, or even 
.religion (which ought to be the most stable of all), 



70 



everything is subject to the universal law of progress 
and development and change. 

But certainly, if not in religion, at least in every- 
thing beside, we find that the science, the philosophy 
and the learning of the day are far diiferent, far more 
advanced, and far better adapted to the purposes of 
producing human happiness than the science, the phi- 
losophy and the learning of a century ago. 

And now we launch our beloved institution upon 
that unknown sea, the century to come. We stand 
upon the shore and look forward with wondering 
gaze. But the future is inscrutable to our vision. 
May the influence of our Alma Mater be as it hath 
heretofore been, conservative, elevating, purifying, 
exalting. May her future sons be prepared to fight 
bravely the battle of life, and to aid in the development 
of those improved forms and phases of advancing civil- 
ization, which we confidently hope will bless our 
favored land. 

The wheels of progress will roll on, and we must 
march onward with them or we shall be crushed 
beneath their majestic advance. There is still a work 
to do in every age and in every generation. Let the 
Guardians and Alumni of Rutgers College be ever 
watchful and active ; let them keep abreast with the 
times, and sufier no sluggishness or indolence to con- 
sign them to the shades of oblivion, where all institu- 
tions and all persons are consigned who keep not pace 
with the advance of mankind in knowledge, freedom 
and enterprise. 



71 

The word is addressed to us, brethren Alumni, to- 
day. Rest not on the glories of the past, for they 
have served their end. "Wait not for the developments 
of the future, they will be needed in their time. But 
gird yourselves to the demands of the present, which 
always confers the only true badge of nobleness, which 
is stamped with the inscription, blazoned in letters of 
light, " Fidelity to Trust." 



ADDITIOI^AL NOTE. 



Notice of some of the early Eoents which led to the 
Establishment of Queens College. 

Governor William Livingston, though a Presbyterian, 
and never a trustee of Queens College, except in his ofEcia] 
capacity as governor of New Jersey, had an indirect, but im- 
portant agency in the chain of events which terminated in its 
establishment. 

The people of the Northern colonies were seldom free from 
the apprehension of the establishment of episcopacy as the state 
religion, with all its train of tithes, and other impositions which 
were felt so severely in England. The members of the colo- 
nial government, from the governor down to justices of the 
peace, generally owed their appointments, directly or indirectly, 
to the crown, and naturally favored the Episcopal church. By 
their influence this sect constantly received liberal favors in 
donations of land and special privileges not accorded to other 
denominations. Episcopalians vaunted themselves on their 
preeminent loyalty, and naturally took sides with the govern- 
ment in all political controversies. 



72 



In 1751, the legislature of the colony of New York, after 
£3,443 had been raised by lottery for the purpose of founding 
a college in that colony, passed an act vesting the fund thus 
raised in ten trustees, seven of whom were Episcopalians, two 
Reformed Dutch, and one (Mr. Livingston himself), a Presby- 
terian. This act naturally created a suspicion that the college 
would be placed under Episcopalian management, and be sub- 
servient to Episcopalian ascendancy. The government patron- 
age and influence had constantly been exerted in favor of that 
denomination, much to the indignation of both Dutch Reformed 
and Presbyterians, the latter of whom had even been refused a 
charter for holding property. Gov. Livingston, then a rising 
and influential young lawyer, was not to be appeased by having 
his name included among the trustees of the college fund. In 
1752 and 1753, he published, in weekly numbers, The Inde- 
pendent Reflector^ containing a series of scathing articles, in 
which, amongst other things, he exposed the project of an 
Episcopal college, to be endowed with the fund which all sects 
had contributed to raise. This was followed in 1755 and 1756 
by a series of articles entitled " The Watch Tower." He did 
not succeed, however, in preventing the erection of an Episco- 
pal institution. Lieut. Gov. Delancy granted the charter of 
Kings College in October, 1754, with trustees or governors, 
mostly of the Episcopalian denomination, and with a condition 
inserted, that the president should always be a member of the 
church of England, as by law established, and that morning 
and evening service in the college should be the liturgy of said 
church, or prayers selected therefrom. Mr. Livingston * * * 
did succeed, however, in arousing such an opposition to the 
scheme in the legislature, that an act was passed directing the 
trustees cf the fund to give only one-half of it to the college, 
and the other half to the city for the purpose of erecting a jail 
and pest-house. An attempt was made by the government 
party to conciliate the Dutch by making their senior minister 
one of the trustees of the college ; and even Mr. Livingston 
f was named in the charter, but he refused to meet with 



73 



the board. A still further effort to divert the Dutch from any 
opposition to the college, and to gain their support, was made 
in June, 1755, by granting, on the suggestion of Domine Rit- 
zema, a supplementary charter, making provision for the esta- 
blishment of a professorship of divinity, in the college, according 
to the doctrine, discipline, and worship, established by the 
National Synod of Dort. (See Moores History of Columhia 
College, pp. 25, 26). The Conferentie party of the Reformed 
Dutch church long clung to this professorship in Kings Col- 
lege, as all that was desired by the church for educational 
purposes in this country. But the Ccetus wei'e not to be 
cajoled into any such connection, which in their view would 
have finally resulted in entire coalescence with the Episcopal 
denomination. 

The controversy to which the establishment of Kings Col- 
lege gave rise, had much to do with fanning the flame of opposi- 
tion to governmental proceedings in the colony of New York, 
and was indeed one of the links in the chain of events which led to 
the revolution of 1776. (See Sedgiuich's Life of Livingstort). 

The Ccetus party in the Reformed Church, as we have seen, 
were never satisfied with Kings College ; nor were they content 
to rely on the college at Princeton for the education of their 
sons. Several attempts were m.ade to bring the Dutch churches 
into an established connection with the latter institution ; but 
they always failed of success. 

I have before me a tract, written in 1755, by Domine David 
Marinus of Acquackanonk (one of the trustees in the charter of 
Queens College), in which he expresses these views very clearly. 
It is entitled A Remark on the Disputes and Contentions of 
this Province, meaning New York. '■ If any man in his right 
senses," says he, " who will not be duped, considers what hath 
happened among us, will he then any longer be at a loss to as- 
cribe our strifes, quarrels and contentions to their real causes ? 
"Was there not a sum of money raised by our Assembly, in order 
to erect a college or seminary of learning for the education of 
youth ? And did not a certain party petition for and obtain a 
10 



74 



charter in wticli tLe president is appointed forever to be a 
member in communion with the church of England ? " &c. 
" Will not our youth, by this constitution, be under the sole 
government of that party (as yet not numerous in this province, 
and thereby be imbued with their principles ; so that High 
Church will be brought in a likely way to triumph over us ? " 
* * Will not the youth be tinctured with the principles of 

those who teach them ? And will this not soon model church 
and state ? When these things are duly considered (which 
surely are very obvious to every thinking person) I hope they 
who belong to the Reformed Church, as constituted by the 
Synod of Dordrecht, will no longer suffer themselves to be so 
much imposed upon, as they have been for some time of late. 
For my part, I am not more amazed, though I am much so, at 
the astonishing imposition of the encroaching party, that would 
monopolize our intended college, than I am at our own infatua- 
tion, stupidity and lethargy." He then refers, with approba- 
tion, to the Independent Reflector and Watch Tower on this 
point, and inveighs against a pretended friend to the Dutch 
church, who had published an article in the New York Mer- 
cury, in favor of Kings College, and adverse to the establish- 
ment of a separate classis in this country. " But he seems," 
says Domine Marinus, " to be under a terrible apprehension, 
when this [an independent classis] is effected, the Jersey Col- 
lege [then located at Newark under Eev. Aaron Burr] will be 
encouraged, and ours [Kings] at the same time neglected. I 
hope we will wish the Jersey College well, because their aim at 
grasping after all our churches, hath not hitherto been so glar- 
ing as that of the High Church College [Kings] in this pro- 
vince. And I believe the religious principles inculcated in the 
former agree better with Holy Scripture, and with the Confes- 
sion of our Church, nay, even with the doctrinal part of the 
articles of the Church of England; than I expect will be taught 
in the latter. Moreover, those who erected it, have not as yet 
endeavored to impose the charge of keeping it upon us. But 
if our friend had not been hasty, and had waited but a little 



75 



wtile longer, lie would perhaps liave been Infornaed, that toe 
don't choose to have too near a connection with either ; hut in- 
tend, please God, an Academy of our own, for the free educa- 
tion of our youth." * * "And though this our resolution 
be but just and equitable in itself, and no more than what is 
manifestly our indispensable duty, we may notwithstanding, in 
a great measure, thank our kind sister Churches for it, who by 
the whole of their late conduct towards us, even by their dreams 
and prophecies, have shown us the necessity thereof, unless we 
resolve ignominiously to surrender and give up our Churches 
to them." He finally exhorts his brethren of the Reformed 
Church to be aroused from their lethargy, to awake to the 
craft and artifice used to despoil them. He doubts not that his 
gracious majesty, King George, will be pleased "to grant us 
a charter too, for the education of our youth, as well as any 
other religious denomination whatsoever." And he adds : " We 
have no business with their colleges ; they may erect as many 
as they please, and must expect to maintain them too, them- 
selves. Let every one provide for his own house." [The above 
pamphlet is bound up in vol. v. Miscellaneous Pamphlets, New 
Jei'sey Historical Society.] 

From this period (1755) until the grant of the charter of 
Queens College in 1770, the project of an independent college 
was never lost sight of by the Coetus party in the Dutch Church. 

Rev. Theodore Frelinghuysen of Albany undertook to found 
such an institution, and actually went to Holland under a com- 
mission from the Coetus to obtain the requisite funds ; but he 
died on his return from his mission. (See an account of his 
efforts in Corwins Manual of the Reformed Church in America, 
pp. 333, 853). This effort is strongly animadverted upon by 
the Conferentie, in their sessions, September, 1755, and some 
curious reasons are urged against it. (See Acts and Proceed- 
ings of Synod, vol. i, pp. xciv, xcv, xcvi). It will be seen by 
these minutes that Dom. Ritzema and his followers were all in 
favor of Kings College, and against any new institution, as well 
as any new and independent classis 



76 



There is a curious passage, germane to the subject, on page 
xcvi of the minutes. " Dom. Frelinghuysen should remember 
the censure placed on his father thirty years ago, of which the 
after pains are a whole brood, who are still without the public 
exercise of the ministry, although a part of them were brought 
forward by the Coetus." " Thirty years ago " would be about 
1726. To what is reference here made ? Did tke first Freling- 
huysen establish an academy? Does the '•'■whole hrood" refer 
to his helpers ? The minutes of the Conferentie from 1755 
down to the Union in 1771, furnish amusing evidence of the 
absolute torment which the young party of progress in the 
church constantly inflicted upon the staid adherents of Amster- 
dam and ecclesiastical order. It is a perfect book of lamentations. 
Our friend Hardenbergh is referred to as " one Hardenbergh," 
"a certain Hardenbergh," "the so-called student Hardenbergh," 
etc., etc. In their letter to the classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 12, 
1758, they speak of Kings College thus: " Our academy esta- 
blished at New York prospers remarkably, and we, Low Dutch 
Reformed, have the liberty to call a professor of theology, ac- 
cording to the constitution of our Netherlandish church order, 
established in the Synod of Dort, and this privilege shall be 
used at the first opportunity" (p. civ). DomineRifzema desired 
to be this professor ( Gunn's Memoirs of Br. Livingston, p. 191). 
A further evidence, however, that the Coetus were still stirring 
the question of a new college, may be found in the minutes of 
Conferentie, or their letter to Amsterdam under date of Febru- 
ary 25, 1762 (Acts, &c., vol. i, p. cxi). Speaking of difficulties 
at Tappan, where Dom. VerhryJc (an original trustee of Queens) 
was settled as pastor, the Conferentie say : " The minister with- 
out direction from the congregation or consistory, had engaged, 
with other ministers of the so-called Coetus, to obtain from the 
governor of New Jersey a charter for the erection of an Academy 
in that province. Thirty-eight heads of families took this so ill, 
that they refused to pay the Domiue's salary. * * The minis- 
ter still adhering obstinately to his purpose, used all means to 
accomplish it ; and lohen refused by one governor, sought it from 



77 



Ms successors." Could the enemies of the Ccetus have written a 
stronger eulogy if they had tried ? But if Dom. Verbryk's 
congregation stopped his salary, he got even with them, by 
putting them all under censure and excluding them from the 
communion ! (p. cxiii). A race of brave men was that which 
founded the College ! But the letter from the Conferentie to the 
classis in June, 1764, is still more interesting. Dom. Verbryk, 
it seems, being obliged by his call, to preach on the church 
days, did so in his own fashion. On Paas (Easter) he took for 
subject the Crucifixion ! "Besides, he, along with other minis- 
ters, desired a charter for an academy from the governor of 
New Jersey, although he lives under the government of New 
York ! " * * " And since this matter of an academy is that 
which is so sadly disputed in the congregations of New Jersey, 
and those adjoining, we cannot omit mentioning that, notwith- 
standing two governors have refused their request, they mean 
to try it with the third ! ! " (Acts, vol. i, p. cxvi). And in the 
very last letter from the Conferentie to the classis, as printed 
in the Acts (dated Oct, 7th, 1767) they say : " Satisfied our- 
selves with the plan of getting a professor [of theology] in our 
academy [i. e. Kings College,] we perceive, nevertheless, that 
there is another scheme laid, in regard to a new academy to he 
erected in New Jersey., by which a student is to be sent hence 
to the University of Utrecht, where, through the favor of a 
certain professor of theology, and some others, he is to be re- 
ceived and study four years, and then come back as professor 
of theology." (Vol. i, p. cxxxi). 

That part of the plan here alluded to, of sending a student to 
Holland to prepare himself for the professorship of theology, is 
mentioned in the Memoirs of Dr. John H. Livingston, page 193. 
Dr. Livingston had gone to Holland in 1766, to study theology. 
In 1768, while he was at Utrecht, Dr. Witherspoon, having 
accepted the presidency of the college at Princeton, visited 
Holland preparatory to entering upon his duties, and requested 
an interview with him. Livingston, though a young man, and 
then only a student of theology, belonged to one of the most 



78 



powerful families in New York and in the Reformed Chm-cli of 
America. The result of the interview was the adoption of a 
scheme by which the Reformed Dutch Churches should patron- 
ize Princeton College so far as academical education was con- 
cerned ; but should establish a theological professorship of their 
own. This plan, as may be supposed, did not at all meet the 
views of the Coetus party in America. They had long matured 
their charter for an independent college, and, as we have seen, 
had several times applied to the governors of New Jersey for 
its passage under the great seal, but as yet without success. 
Hence they would be likely to receive the plan of Dr. Wither- 
spoon with coldness, although propounded as part of a more 
general plan of Dr. Livingston's for bringing the Dutch Re- 
formed Churches into harmonious union — a consummation 
which was certainly very desirable. Mr. Abraham Lott, of 
New York, one of the original trustees of Queens College, writes 
to Dr. Livingston under date of March 28th, 1769 : " As far as 
I can find, the whole Coetus, with all their heart, as well as all 
the leading members of our church, will cheerfully agree to the 
plan, except to that part which relates to the local union with 
Princeton College ; as it is apprehended that much mischief 
would arise to our cause, from a union with that or any other 
college at this present time." Again, in June, 1769 : " The 
principal objection against the proposed plan, is the local junc- 
tion with Nassau Hall, in Princeton, almost everybody judging 
it best that we neither join that college, nor the one in this city. 
This is the opinion of our congregation." (^Memoirs of Liv- 
ingston, 195, 196). 

That the association for the foundation of Queens College 
had already assumed definite shape and form, may be inferred 
from a passage in another letter of Mr. Lott to Dr. Livingston, 
dated in September, 1767, in which he speaks of the Coetus 
party as having adopted measures for the erection of an 
" Academy " in New Jersey, in which pious youth might be 
educated for the ministry, and (as Dr. Gunn understands it), 
had already obtained a charter for the same, containing nothing 



79 



of Coetus or Conferentie in it, being founded on the constitu- 
tion of the church of Holland, as established in the national 
Synod of Dort. (^Memoirs, p. 187). Dr. Gunn unquestionably 
. misunderstood the letter so far as he inferred its meaning to be 
that a charter was already granted ; but it had, undoubtedly, 
been reduced to form, and a board of trustees had been selected. 
In the New Yorh Mercury of May, 1769, nearly a year before 
the charter passed the great seal, is a notice of a meeting of the 
trustees of Queens College, to be held at Hendrik Kuyper's 
house at Harsimus. The charter was not actually sealed until 
March 20th, 1770. 

This review shows, that the party of progress in the Reformed 
Dutch Church, from the time of the elder Frelinghuysen down 
to 1770, never lost sight of their purpose to have a college in 
America, where their young men could obtain a finished educa- 
tion, both in classical, scientific and professional learning, 
without going to Holland therefor, or to the institutions of 
neighboring churches, where they would be exposed to proselyt- 
ism or to a depreciation of their own church. No doubt many 
names have been omitted, which ought to occupy a prominent 
place in this note. Mr. Corwin, the painstaking author of the 
Manual^ calls my special attention to Rev. Reinhardt Erick- 
SON, the first president of the Coetus. But it is impossible in this 
hasty sketch to write a full history. This has been much better 
done by Mr. Corwin himself, in the appendix to his useful 
work above referred to. 

It ought to be added in this connection that the very year 
(1770) in which the charter for the college received the govern- 
mental sanction, Dr. Livingston returned from Holland, bearing 
the olive branch of peace, in a scheme, approved by the Church 
of Holland, for the union of all the Dutch Reformed Churches 
in North America. This union was effected by certain articles 
agreed upon in a General Convention in 1771. But such was 
the distrust of the new college on the part of the Conferentie, 
that the Coetus were obliged to give up their long cherished 
desire of having the theological professorate identified with it. 



80 



Theological professors were provided for ; but it was stipulated 
that they should have no connection luith any English academies, 
but should deliver lectures on theology in their own houses to 
such students as could, by suitable testimonials, make it appear 
that they had carefully exercised themselves in the preparatory 
branches for two or three years, at a college or academy under 
the supervision of competent teachers in the languages, philo- 
sophy, etc. Perhaps one motive in this stipulation was, to 
prevent any connection with Kings College or Princeton ; but 
no doubt Queens College, which was organized under the sole 
influence of the Coetus, was principally intended in the pro- 
hibition. 

The fact is, that no theological professor was appointed by the 
General Synod until after the revolutionary war in 1784, when 
Dr. Livingston received the appointment. But the necessities, 
both of the church and the college, finally brought the two in- 
stitutions together, as is shown in the text. 



The morning exercises were concluded with a prayer 
offered by Rev. Dr. B. C. Taylor of Bergen ; the sing- 
ing of the Doxology, and the pronouncing of the 
Benediction by Rev. Dr. Gustavus Abeel of Newark. 



aENEEAL AEIIMlSrt MEETING. 



After allowing time for refreshment, wMcli hun- 
dreds found at the free and ample collation provided 
near at hand, the trustees, faculty, graduates, students, 
and friends thronged into the church again. 

Rohert H. Pruyn, LL.D., ex-minister to Japan, and 
president of the Alumni association, took the chair, 
and said : 

It is not my purpose, gentlemen, to make any 
formal or protracted remarks. Judge Bradley has 
given us the history of the laying of the corner stone of 
the College, and of its progressive development up to 
the present time. It is now proposed to add a few 
more stones which ought not to be inferior in quality 
and durability to any already laid. "What is done here 
to-day will be remembered in history. And if every 
man give according to his means, and will use the 
full measure of his influence, the result will be 
noble and far reaching. The College, like a century 
plant, opens its fair blossoms for us this hour ; but we 
must so tend and nourish it that it shall bear even 
richer and more beautiful flowers one hundred years 
hence than now. 

He then introduced Ex-President Hasbrouck, who 
-spoke as follows : 

n 



82 



3Ir. President, 

It seems to me, after tlie address we have been 
favored with to-day by Judge Bradley, that there is 
htit little left for us to say, and that action alone is 
required. In compliance, however, with the call of the 
President of the College, I will submit a few remarks 
bearing in mind the important business still to be 
transacted by the meeting at this late hour in the 
afternoon. 

It is not my fortune to be an Alumnus of Rutgers 
College. My loyalty in that relation is due to Yale. 
But fi'om the regard I have ever had for that institu- 
tion, I can easily conceive the feeling which pervades 
this meeting, and more readily sympathize heartily 
with all its purposes. But, sir, though not an 
Alumnus, I have other relations to this College quite 
as near and influential. In the first place, if I may be 
allowed to refer to a matter so merely personal, I am 
a descendant from one of the corporators named in 
the original charter of the College, one of the few from 
the state of ITew York, who represented the interests 
of the religious denomination there, which wisely 
founded it. I may indeed claim no great merit in 
this circumstance, and it may be justly regarded per- 
haps, as but the " accident of an accident," still I 
confess it has had an influence with me during my 
whole life. But, sir, I have a nearer and more direct 
connection with the College than that: I stand here 
0-day by a kind Providence, the sole survivor of all 



83 



the Presidents of the College, who preceded me, and 
of one honored one, who followed me Omnes Codicolce, 
who have occupied the position now worthily held .by 
President Campbell. Surely, sir, it would be strange 
indeed if with such relations to the College, I should 
be indiiferent to any movements calculated to promote 
its interests, or to enlarge its influence. And, sir, when 
I remember what befell me here, dui-ing a presidency, 
commenced now thirty years ago, and ending with the 
decade that followed ; when I think of the abounding 
confidence of the Board of Trustees, sometimes pain- 
ful in the consciousness of inexperience in the duties 
I had ventured to assume ; of my cordial reception by 
the faculty already appointed to my hand, which for 
every social quality and accomplishment as well as for 
eminent fitness for their stations, I could not have 
improved if I could have had the opportunity of selec- 
tion from all the learned professors of the land ; when 
I remember the cheerful obedience and almost filial 
regard of the young men who passed through their 
collegiate course during my presidency, many of whom 
are now here in the maturity of manhood to offer 
their congratulations fresh with the dews of their youth, 
and not least of all the open-hearted hospitality of the 
people of this city towards me and mine — I confess, 
sir, I should feel myself a marvel of ingratitude, if 
my heart did not warm for the College, with all its 
interests and connections. You will believe me then 
when I say that though an Alumnus of Yale, while I 
do not honor her less, I love Rutgers more. 



84 

The address with which we were favored a few hours 
ago by Judge Bradley, furnishes a lesson of fidelity 
and constancy to the interests of the College, which it 
would be well for us to heed. It would be well I 
think while we are called upon to press forward to the 
mark set before us by President Campbell not to for- 
get the things that are behind. We should remember 
how this institution was founded in the comparative 
poverty and destitution of colonial times; how it 
struggled through many a despondent year afterwards, 
pawing like Milton's lion to free itself from its embar- 
rassments ; how it stood year after year a suppliant at 
the bolted door of the state treasury to receive in the 
end only the poor boon of a lottery to endow a profes- 
sorship, and yet how its early friends bated not a jot of 
hope in its ultimate success, but went on laboring in 
the cause of the College, and many of them dying in the 
full faith of the promised land. Sir, we should do 
well to copy the faith and perseverance of those 
devoted friends of the College. "We are living in 
better times and under happier auspices, in a condition 
of national prosperity and progress, such as history 
has not yet recorded, rivaling almost the golden age 
of poets, at a time when the hearts of men are opened 
in a remarkable manner <.to the endowment and sup- 
port of literary institutions, when matters of vital 
importance to the Protestant faith, are daily pressing 
upon the consideration of thoughtful men in the midst 
of a warfare with error, when colleges, such as we 
propose to build, are the surest base of supply, and it 



85 



we should be forgetful of the example set before us, 
or loiter in duty, it seems to me it would almost raise 
the old dead from their graves. But, sir, I am thank- 
ful to know from this day's demonstration, that no 
such spectral exhibition awaits us. 

Let us look for a moment at what the College has 
done for the country under difficulties and hindrances 
now happily in a great measure removed. The light 
which was kindled here a century ago, though shining 
dimly through many a gloomy day, and sometimes 
even flickering in its socket, has yet by the vestal 
care of its early friends, never been suffered to go out. 
By it, from its earliest existence, has been lit many a 
taper to be carried by the sons of the College in nobler 
than classic games, to shine with no feeble splendor in 
many a pulpit of the land ; to be borne on the wings 
of the wind, to far distant pagan lands ; to be honora- 
bly exhibited at the bar, on the bench, in the legislative 
and executive departments of more than one state of 
the Union ; in the legislative chambers, too, of the Capi- 
tol at Washington ; to guide you, sir, through diplomatic 
duties in the service of your country; and but lately, 
by a wise exercise of the appointing power has been 
invoked to shed its pure conservative and Christian 
light upon the bench of the supreme court of the 
United States, which department of our government, 
more than the fabled Palladium of old, is the grand 
conservator of our political system. It has been said, 
no matter what may be the laws of a state, a learned, 
independent, honest judiciary will remedy all defects. 



86 



Sir ! wlien we have sucli men as Jay, and Ellsworth, 
and Marshall, and our honored Alumnus, upon the 
bench, I am inclined to give credence to what might 
seem a startling proposition, and confess to a sense of 
under an occasional undue exercise of legisla- 



tive power. 

When I recall this and much more that the College 
has done, I cannot but think that it has repaid to the 
country fourfold all that its friends have contributed 
to its support. And when it has done thus much in 
times past, under embai-rassments to which I have 
alluded, what may it not be expected to do, what will 
it not do, when you send it forth under its present 
efficient head and organization, fully endowed, in pano- 
ply complete, to take its stand among the foremost 
institutions in the country, ready to meet every call, 
which a Christian and patriotic people can make upon 
it? I trust, sir, it will nt)t be thought that I make 
an irreverent use of words when I say, that the Presi- 
dent may plant, the Board of Trustees and the friends 
of the College may water, but it is for the Alumni to 
give the increase. I close, sir, with the wish that the 
blessing of heaven may rest upon their laboi's. 

President Campbell was called upon to make his 
report in regard to the progress of the endowment. 
He said : 

It is a happy day to me, as no doubt it is to you all, 
to see Ex-President Hasbrouck here on this joyous 
occasion. He comes at a great sacrifice, on account 
of infirm health and gathering years ; but he gives 



87 



proof thereby of his strong and abiding interest in the 
institution over whicb be once presided. It is to be 
hoped that we may yet have many opportunities of 
repeating the cordial welcome extended to him to-day. 
"We are, my friends, to engage this afternoon in the 
task of starting Rutgers College upon her second cen- 
tury of usefulness. "What we want then is practical 
work, and not long speeches. Since the 12th of March, 
the time appointed for me to enter upon the duty of 
begging for a thank-offering, I have been steadily at 
work. The work in reality began last year at the 
Alumni dinner ; when Mr. Abraham Voorhees, of this 
city, presented a property worth ten thousand dollars 
to the College. That gift was the first-fruits, and for 
all time Mr. Vooi-hees has the honor of being the first 
subscriber to the centennial fund, I have received 
twelve subscriptions of five thousand dollars each; 
one of twenty-five hundred dollars; and twenty of 
one thousand dollars each. Several churches have 
founded permanent scholarships by contributing one 
thousand dollars each. The Middle Reformed church 
in Albany, has given thirteen hundred and ten dollars ; 
the l^orth Reformed church in the same place, one 
thousand dollars ; and the Reformed church of Hudson, 
one thousand dollars. R. C. Pruyn, who was graduated 
last year, and C. L. Pruyn who is yet an undergraduate, 
have united in a gift of one thousand dollars. Fourteen 
persons have subscribed, each five hundred dollars, 
and five others, each one hundred dollars, making in 
all, one hundred and five thousand dollars. 



Ill 1840, a committee was appointed to raise the 
salary of the President for one year, and it reported 
itself unable to do it. But six years ago a fund of 
$137,900 was raised, which added to the centennial 
makes, as the contribution of seven years, |242,900. 
Moreover an esprit du corps is observable this year 
beyond any preceding one. 

And here let me render a tribute of just praise to 
our Alumni. They are not like the graduates of a 
large and powerful college whose president regretfully 
confessed that he could expect little of them, since they 
never had done anything, to speak of, for their Alma 
Mater. Our Alumni, on the contrary, enter with a 
zealous and self-sacrificing spirit into every movement 
for enlarging the instruction, and extending the power 
of the College. They have needed no urging, but 
have given freely according to their ability, an evidence 
of which is the cheering fact, that of the sum men- 
tioned above, they alone have subscribed this year, 
thirty-five thousand dollars. It is safe to commit the 
interests of Rutgers into such loyal and helpful hands. 
And now, gentlemen, I look to you to carry into glo- 
rious completion the work you have so well begun. 

The song, Ahna Mater 0, was rendered by a choir of 
male voices accompanied by Grafulla's band, to the air 
of Wearing the Green. The entire. audience joined in 
the cTiorus. 

Informal reports from the classes, many of which 
had met in delightful reunion on the previous evening, 
were now received. 



89 

Class of '59. Prof. Doolittle said : That he formerly 
thought it a blessed fact that nineteen of the thirty in 
his class were ministers, but this turned out to be a 
most unfortunate fact now when money was to be 
raised. He was able, however, to report two thousand 
dollars as subscribed by his class. And he afterwards 
announced that as six hundred of this appears on the 
President's book, he would pledge that amount in 
addition. 

Class of '36. Rev. J. G. Johnson, of Upper Red 
Hook, E". Y., happily alluded to the circumstance that 
his class had contributed the orator of the day, and had 
also subscribed six thousand dollars, but were not yet 
by any means exhausted. 

Class of '44. Rev. Dr. John H. Manning, of Brook- 
lyn, reported eleven thousand dollars as the contribu- 
tion of his class, but remarked that this amount was 
included in the sum read from Dr. Campbell's book. 

Rev. Harvey D. Ganse of New York city, made, by 
request a few remarks. Though not an Alumnus, he 
expressed an earnest sympathy for both the College 
and the Theological Seminary, and hoped both insti- 
tutions would be thoroughly furnished for new and 
larger careers of usefulness. 

The chairman remarked that the text of his own 
funeral sermon had been announced, by his pastor in 
Albany, as follows : " And the beggar died." He had 
however, just been seized with a liberal turn, and 
would bequeath this text with all its appurtenances to 
President Campbell. And yet he hoped it would be 
12 



90 



very many years before the sermon might be preached 
from it. 

Class of '42. Eev. Dr. David Cole, of Yonkers, did 
not, he said, like to be out of harmony with the pro- 
ceedings, or with any movement proposed by our 
worthy president ; but he had not the slightest sus- 
picion that reports, of the kind they had heard, were 
to be called for now. His class, of whom seven are 
present, had had a splendid meeting, and collected facts 
for a history. Twenty-one of their twenty-eight mem- 
bers were clergymen, and hence too poor to give many 
dollars ; but they give their hearts' best affection, and 
will add what money they can. 

The choir then led the audience in singing Jn/e^er Vitce. 

Sheriff Peter A. Voorhees, professed to be nothing 
but a plain countryman, a farmer; but thought every 
patriotic citizen and Christian ought to be interested 
in building up schools of learning, where youth were 
to be prepared for positions of influence in the church 
and the world. Rutgers deserved to be sustained by 
the congregations to which she had given so many 
pastors ; and therefore he would venture to pledge the 
church at Six Mile Run for one thousand dollars. 

Peter S. Duryee, Esq., of Newark, a trustee, com- 
mended the above example as noble and worthy of imi- 
tation. Every church in the denomination should have, 
at least, one one-thousand dollar scholarship in order 
that it might keep one student free of tuition charges 
continually in the College. He pledged the ISTorth 
Reformed chui'ch of Newark, for a scholarship. 



91 



Lawriger Horatius was sung. 

Class of '47. Gen. Geo. H. Sliarpe, formerly of 
Kingston, now United States marslial, in the city of 
ITew York, said : That circumstances had prevented 
his class from having a full meeting. As a consequence 
he could make hut a partial report to-day, but would 
present a complete one at the next commencement. 
Only three or four members were here, but they united 
with him in promising four hundred dollars. 

The chairman assured all, who wanted more time, 
that the centennial would not end until next com- 
mencement, when full reports would be expected. 

Class of '57. Major Charles M, Herbert, of New 
Brunswick, was happy to say that one gentleman of 
his class had already given five thousand dollars, which 
sum, however, was on Dr. Campbell's book. He 
pledged his class to raise the amount to ten thousand 
dollars. 

Class of '63. James H. Elmendorf, M.D., of Brook- 
lyn, said : That the class numbered eighteen, of whom 
eleven were clergymen. Six members had met last 
night, and subscribed seven hundred dollars. The 
others will make it one thousand dollars. 

Class of '62. Eev. William B. Merritt, of Flatbush, 
Ulster Co., K Y., reported himself unable as yet to 
get all the members of his class together, but he would 
pledge for them as much as would be given by the 
class of '63 ; and moreover they would present a por- 
trait of Rev. Dr. Gosman, who was well known as 
a devoted and efiicient trustee. 



92 



Class of '45. Eev. Dr. Peter Stryker, of Philadel- 
pliia, said : That thirteen of the sixteen members con- 
stituting his class remained, and of these, six are 
ministers. They had given ten thousand dollars 
toward the last endowment, and some had subscribed 
to the present thank-oifering. They would add all 
they could without specifying the exact amount. 

Class of '53, was represented by Eev. Eobert S. 
Manning, of Trenton, who announced the number 
graduated in his class as twenty-two, of whom eight 
were now dead. The sum already subscribed was 
two thousand dollars, and to this the three or four 
members present, had agreed to add one thousand 
dollars. 

Class of '52. Charles H. "Winfield, Esq., of Jersey 
city, stated that the endeavor to have a class-meeting 
last night was not successful, but to-day four or five 
had assembled, and they would raise one thousand 
dollars. 

Class of '54. Eev. James Le Fevre, of Earitan, said : 
The class had resolved to raise one thousand dollars. 

Class of '68. Mr. Van Eensselaer Weston, of iN'ew 
Brunswick, remarked that his class had had a grand 
meeting, the number of attendants was large, the 
speeches fine, the enthusiasm and liberality unbounded. 
They had raised two hundred dollars and forty-nine 
cents exactly. 

The chairman inquired whether they could not, by 
making another tremendous exertion, possibly run the 
amount up to two hundred dollars andjifty cents. 



93 

Rev. Dr. Stryker wished to hear something more 
from the President in regard to a course of lectures 
which had been alluded to in the Baccalaureate sermon. 
Dr. Campbell replied by giving a brief historical 
account of the foundation of a course of lectures, 
in the University of Oxford, by Rev. John Bampton, 
in 1780. And he most earnestly desired that provi- 
sion might be made for the establishment of a similar 
course in this institution. It would comprehend dis- 
cussions, by the ablest thinkers in the church, of the 
relations of Christianity to the rising questions in 
science and philosophy ; and would afford new proofs 
of the truth and the power, and the manifold blessings 
of God's word. And the expectation of being possi- 
bly called upon to prepare such lectures would stimu- 
late our theological Alumni to larger and profounder 
studies, and thus help forward the transcendently 
important cause of sacred learning. This object was 
especially dear to him, and he longed to see it accom- 
plished. 

Rev. Dr. James McCosh, president of the College 
of New Jersey at Princeton, was introduced, and 
expressed himself as exceedingly interested in the 
proceedings throughout. Rutgers, though one hundred 
years old, showed no signs of decay, but like the oak 
grew continually stronger. He rejoiced at this, and 
paid a high compliment to her scholarship and disci- 
pline. He did not think we should attempt to put 
new colleges in the east, but should labor to build up 
the old. It would be disastrous to the cause of tho- 



94 



rougli education, to have many small and starving 
colleges. Such institutions were a curse rather than a 
blessing. It was understood that there was very con- 
siderable wealth in the Eeformed church, and how 
could its possessors better show their gratitude to God 
than by endowing new chairs in Rutgers, and thus 
enabling it to fulfill all the purposes of its founders. 

He suggested that Rutgers and Princeton should 
combine to secure the establishment of more and 
better grammar and preparatoiy schools in ISTew Jer- 
sey. The great want of all our colleges is competent 
grammar schools. Had each college a good one, it 
could double the number of students in a few years. 
In other countries there are in every town, high 
schools endowed by the state. The secret of Harvard's 
success lay in the fact that every town of a certain 
size in Massachusetts is required to have such a school. 
The state ought thus to give every clever, smart boy a 
chance of getting an education, and of becoming great. 
He wished that IS'ew Brunswick and Princeton would 
unite in asking the legislature of Kew Jersey to found 
one or more fellowship to be competed for, by the 
students in both places. "What a noble and generous 
field of rivalry would in this way be opened between 
these two sister institutions ; and, before leaving, he 
would like to pledge the Rutgers Alumni to engage 
in this. 

The President was most happy to announce at this 
point that Hon. Robert H. Pruyn had jiist promised 
to add four thousand dollars to the six thousand already 



95 

subscribed by himself and sons, making a gift of ten 
thousand dollars, for the foundation of either a fellow- 
ship or the lecture-course, mentioned above, according 
as he (Dr. Campbell), might elect. But the President, 
while expressing his high gratification both at Mr. 
Pruyn's liberality and willingness to allow him to indi- 
cate its direction, concluded to choose the fellowship, 
as he believed that had been the first intention of Mr. 
Pruyn. He, however, urged the Alumni to establish 
the lecture course at some future time, if it should 
happen not to be done to-day. 

Alexander Brown, Esq., of Philadelphia, ofiered a 
resolution of thanks to Hon. Jos. P. Bradley for his 
able and appropriate address, and ordering 3,000 copies 
to be printed. It was passed unanimously. 

Class of '50, Rev. John L. MclSTair, of ISTew York 
city, said : That fifteen out of the sixteen graduated 
in the class became gospel preachers. They were not 
yet prepared to report, but would do their best and 
give the result at next commencement. 

Class of '43 was pledgetl by Rev. Dr. Paul D. Van 
Cleef, of Jersey City, to the work of getting subscrip- 
tions preparatory to a full report one year from to-day. 

The chairman gave notice that complete reports of the 
labors of all the classes, in securing a worthy centen- 
nial thank-oflering, would be made at the next com- 
mencement ; and he hoped no ofiering, however small, 
would be withheld. Ten dollars given and invested 
now, at compound interest, would at the end of one 
hundred years yield a very large amount; but that 



96 

sum invested in education would give — wlio can say 
how mucli ! 

Class of '45. Eev. Dr. John A. Todd, of Tarrytown, 
in the course of some humorous remarks, reported his 
class as having already raised one thousand dollars, 
and full of the determination to increase this sum. 

Mr. Ahraham Yoorhees, of 'New Brunswick, was the 
last speaker. He made an earnest appeal to the libe- 
rality of wealthy men present, and expressed his faith 
that one among them would be found who would lay 
down the ten thousand dollars for the establishment 
of the course of lectures so much desired by Dr. 
Campbell. 

The exercises throughout seemed to be the sponta- 
neous offspring of a spirit as thoroughly earnest as it 
was jubilant. They were frequently interspersed with 
irrepressible demonstrations of applause ; and greatly 
enlivened by College songs, which, under the skillful 
leadership of H. "W. Weston, Esq., were redolent of 
the very atmosphere of the free and joyous life pecu- 
liar to student days. Seldom, if ever, has there been 
held, by the Alumni and friends of any institution in 
the land a meeting so happy in feeling; and so pro- 
ductive of immediate and substantial results as this 
great centennial gathering — which will make June 
21, 1870, an ever memorable date in the history of 
Old Eutgers. 

On Wednesday morning President Campbell seized 
a fitting opportunity to thank the Alumni, assembled 
in the chapel, for their aid and sympathy. He felt 



97 



constrained, he observed, to express his profound grati- 
tude for what they had done on the day previous, and 
also for the manner in v^^hieh they had done it. By 
the action of the classes the number of people inter- 
ested in the endowment had been largely increased. 
And this feature, while somewhat exceptional, was a 
source of high satisfaction. Many institutions had 
been endowed by large gifts from three or four men 
of liberal means, or even one man, and then they were 
in a state of bondage to the few, or to the one who 
controlled it simply by means of wealth. There was 
no greater despotism than this. The word of one per- 
son thus became law, it overrode all other influences, 
and might, if his affections were turned in another 
channel, sweep the institution out of existence. 

But the endowment of Rutgers College was not due 
to any one man. It was the united work of men, 
women, and children. Five thousand people stand 
behind this ancient seat of learning as its supporters ; 
and so it is linked to the active aiFectiona and proud 
of the loyalty of the many, instead of being subject 
to the slavish dictation of a few. While the rich have 
bestowed liberal contributions, those of small means 
have madt; the real sacrifices. 

On Tuesday the ministers had disparaged their own 
order by denying their ability, or rather by apologiz- 
ing for their lack of ability. They had indeed been 
the first and foremost in starting the present move- 
ment. On the earliest occasion when the execution of 
the plan of endowment was to be actually attempted, 
1:5 



98 



one, two, three clergymen, said : " I will give a thou- 
saucl dollars ; " while the several laymen present, 
men of means, did not at that time, subscribe one dol- 
lar. These laymen contributed afterwards in noble 
sums, but the ministers of their limited means had 
done, and would yet do their share, even more than 
their share. 

He concluded by explaining that the whole secret of 
begging coiisists in putting one's own name down first 
on the list, and by reminding all that the centenary 
celebration would not end until noon of Wednesday, 
June 21, 1871. 

The final meeting, to be held at that time, will be 
presided over by Gen. Geo. H. Sharpe of New York 
city, the president for the year 1870-1, of the Alumni 
association. The well known energy, tact and fer- 
tility of resource, chai'acteristic of this gentleman, 
awaken the high expectation that the capital then to 
be placed, by the children of Rutgers upon the monu- 
ment of grateful remembrance, Avill be every way 
worthy of the broad base and enduring shaft already 
erected. 



